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Iranian foreign relations

Rafael Grossi Caught in Crossfire Between Trump, Netanyahu and Khamenei

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Rafael Grossi, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief, is facing a smear campaign by Iran's regime following his alarming report on Iran's nuclear expansion. Iran's hard-line newspaper, Kayhan, has called for Grossi's trial and execution for allegedly spying for Israel and participating in the murder of the oppressed people of Iran. Grossi's work with the UN agency's nuclear inspectors is being set up as a scapegoat for Iran's potential pullout from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and acceleration of efforts to get nuclear weapons.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rafael Grossi, the IAEA chief, has been accused by Iran's regime of being an Israeli spy and participating in the murder of the oppressed people of Iran.
  • Iran's hard-line newspaper, Kayhan, has called for Grossi's trial and execution in response to his report on Iran's nuclear expansion.
  • Grossi's work with the UN agency's nuclear inspectors is being set up as a scapegoat for Iran's potential pullout from the NPT and acceleration of efforts to get nuclear weapons.
  • Grossi has made five trips to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which was occupied by Russia after invading Ukraine in 2022, to prevent a potential nuclear disaster.
  • Grossi is being set up to take the blame if Iran pulls out of the NPT, which could plunge the region into an apocalyptic conflict.
  • Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has blamed Grossi's "destructive" behavior for the country's rejection of the IAEA's requests to visit the three sites bombed by the US.
  • The IAEA boss could become an obstacle to a new Iran deal, which would involve IAEA inspectors due to Iran's refusal to meet with US negotiators unless Trump rules out any further strikes.
  • Iranian expert Ellie Geranmayeh believes a compromise could be found to save Tehran's blushes and clinch the deal, but Iran will still try to block Grossi's appointment as UN boss.
  • Russia and China, allies of Iran, are also blocking Grossi's appointment as UN boss, citing their own interests and those of Iran.

Statistics:

  • 400kg: the amount of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a short step from the 90% level needed for a nuclear bomb, as reported by the IAEA on June 12.
  • 60%: the purity level of uranium enriched by Iran, as reported by the IAEA on June 12.
  • 90%: the purity level needed for a nuclear bomb.
  • 12 days: the length of the war between Israel and Iran, which ended with a ceasefire.
  • 5: the number of trips made by Grossi to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant since Russia occupied it in 2022.

Sources:

  • Kayhan newspaper (no date)
  • The Financial Times (May 31, 2023)
  • The European Council on Foreign Relations (no date)
  • The Pacific Forum think tank (no date)
  • Reuters (no date)
  • The New York Times (no date)

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