By: Web Desk on June 21st 2025.
Iran officially filed a formal complaint with the UN Security Council against International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi for bias and “dereliction of duty.” Ambassador Amir Saeed Iravani delivered the notice via diplomatic channels, alleging that Grossi failed to act impartially during recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Iran raised several issues in their letter: Grossi’s public remarks just prior to Israeli strikes; his failure to take timely preventive actions and IAEA silence on breaches at Iranian sites covered by safeguards, and breaches at safeguarded Iranian sites (apnews.com; mizanonline.ir and Tehrantimes respectively).
The letter describes this action as a clear and serious breach of impartiality and that its inaction constitutes “complicity in acts of aggression”. For more details please see presstv.ir, mizanonline.ir, Tehran Times or presstv.ir
Iran has filed an official grievance with the IAEA alleging improper alignment between Western and Israeli narratives and IAEA actions, and Iranian intentions through diplomatic channels (news.cgtn.com, mizanonline.ir and Tehrantimes respectively). This marks a dramatic step up in Tehran’s standoff with IAEA. It will now be distributed formally among Security Council members as an indication that Tehran intends to escalate this matter through diplomatic channels (news.cgtn.com/, mizanonline/ and Tehrantimes/).
Iran Claims Grossi Was Biased
Tehran alleges Grossi violated her statutory obligations by failing to deter Israeli aggression against Iranian sites overseen by IAEA monitoring, and by publicly commenting in ways which gave Israel justifications for targeting strikes (Sources: Reuter’s.com; Mizanonline.ir and Tehrantimes respectively).
It alleges that his delayed or absent responses constitute institutional failure and breach of professional neutrality, along with institutional bias, according to Mizanonline.ir and The Guardian respectively.
Atomic Energy Organization of Iran has suggested legal proceedings may be taken against Grossi personally and hinted at possible legal proceedings for breaching Iran’s nuclear treaty (indiantimes.com/grossi_legal, TehranTimes.com/g/grossi and mizanonline.ir for additional coverage).
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei made similar claims, accusing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of concealing “the truth” and correlating their conduct with support for Israeli aggression (+1 on Tehrantimes.com).
Mohammad Eslami, Chief of AEOI has warned of legal action for inaction by Grossi and the Board of Governors and expressed displeasure at them bending to Western and Israeli pressure, per tehrantimes.comot presstv.ir
Grossi’s Defensive Posture
Grossi has maintained that Iran is not actively weaponizing, though he noted its increasing stockpiles of enriched uranium–enough for multiple warheads–in the absence of any apparent weapons development plan. For more on Iran and IAEA activity please see: MizanOnline, Foxnews and EconomicTimes
Iran has taken issue with his public statements preceding Israeli attacks–despite their refusal to identify specific aggressors–that may serve to facilitate an attack narrative.
This dispute comes amid increasing international pressure on Tehran’s nuclear activities, following an IAEA Board declaration of Iran as breaching its nuclear obligations–for the first time in nearly 20 years–due to unexplained uranium traces at undeclared locations, according to Reuter’s.com +2.
The Agency also raised concerns over Iran’s 408 kg stockpile of 60%-enriched uranium–near warhead grade–stocked at IAEA facilities and held for storage by AAPNews and Reuter’s Newswire Services, and highlighted iaea.org as being unsuitable for warhead production (iaea.org +2 = AAPnews + Reuter’s +2).
What Comes Next
Iran’s formal appeal to the UN’s Security Council brings this diplomatic standoff to an even higher diplomatic tier. Iran may pursue censure of Grossi or challenge his ongoing role, citing article 3 of IAEA Statute which mandates neutrality and professionalism (Mizanonline.ir).
However, some in the international community view Iran’s complaint as politicalizing the IAEA and strive to uphold its technical mandate.
Diplomatic tensions are mounting rapidly as tensions escalate further with Iran threatening withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) due to perceived bias, while European powers urge de-escalation while pressuring Iran for talks amid Israeli strikes and high stake inspections (barrons.com/reuters/apnews.com & apnews com). Key developments include:
Formal UN Complaint Filed, Alleging Grossi Was “Complice in Israeli Strikes “
Tehran Times. Com, with Allegations of Dereliction and Possible Legal Action by Iran’s Nuclear Authority
APN News. Com, Tehran Times and Press TV all report about Grossi as being biased or complicit in Israeli strikes (Attendant Grossi is accused by Iran as “biased or complicit” and thus deserving legal action for his involvement),
IAEA Position: Large nuclear stockpile confirmed but no evidence of weaponization.
Iran was determined noncompliant by the IAEA board; stockpile near weapons-grade status.
Diplomatic Stakes: the risk of IAEA leadership challenge and NPT withdrawal threats as well as renewed inspections due to conflict settings are at stake.
Tehran’s increased pressure on the IAEA increases the risk of politicization of nuclear oversight, potentially undermining global safeguards just when tensions in the Middle East reach critical levels.