Iran has questioned IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi’s pledge to act independently if appointed UN Secretary-General, pointing to his record at the IAEA.
Responding to Grossi’s recent statement that he would be guided by the UN Charter, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, "He said he would act independently. Well, judging by the damage caused during his tenure as IAEA director general, he knows that he did not act that way."
"He knows that the international community expects him to act independently if he is to become UN secretary-general. Of course, I think it will be difficult for him to break that habit," Baghaei added.
He emphasized that Iran's concerns stem from Grossi’s handling of Iran’s nuclear file, including Grossi's politically motivated reporting and the agency’s response to Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iranian officials have also accused Grossi and the IAEA of disclosing sensitive nuclear information to "Israel", including information identifying Iranian scientists subsequently assassinated.
