Iran’s foreign minister signals Tehran may block UN visits to bombed nuclear sites
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
A Maxar satellite image shows air strike craters over the underground centrifuge halls of Iran’s Natanz Enrichment Facility, following US air strikes.
PHOTO: REUTERS
DUBAI – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi indicated on June 27 that Tehran may reject any request by the head of UN nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for visits to Iranian nuclear sites.
“(IAEA head Rafael Grossi’s) insistence on visiting the bombed sites under the pretext of safeguards is meaningless and possibly even malign in intent,” Mr Araqchi wrote, in a post on X.
“Iran reserves the right to take any steps in defence of its interests, its people, and its sovereignty.”
The IAEA earlier said in a statement: “(Mr Grossi) emphasised the need for IAEA inspectors to continue their verification activities in Iran, as required under its comprehensive safeguards agreement with the Agency”.
Iran’s Parliament approved a Bill on June 25 to suspend cooperation with the IAEA.
The move followed an air war with Israel US forces striking
