Amid escalating tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and recent military exchanges in the region, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a strong statement urging the Iranian government to uphold its international obligations by ensuring the safety and security of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) personnel operating within its borders.
Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Rubio voiced deep concern over growing hostility towards the IAEA, particularly in response to public calls within Iran for the arrest and even execution of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
“These threats are absolutely unacceptable and must be unequivocally condemned,” Rubio wrote. “Iran has a responsibility to guarantee the safety and integrity of IAEA personnel and their mission. We fully support the IAEA’s vital role in verifying and monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities and commend Director General Grossi and his team for their professionalism and commitment.”
Rubio’s remarks come at a time of renewed friction between Iran and the West, following a breakdown in diplomatic engagement after recent hostilities involving direct strikes and counterstrikes between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Iran Boasts Retaliatory Attack on US Base
In his first public statement since a ceasefire came into effect, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week declared that Iran had dealt a significant blow to American forces by launching ballistic missiles at a major US airbase in Qatar. The attack, he stated, was in retaliation for US-led air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities located in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz—some of the country’s most sensitive nuclear installations.
“We have slapped America in the face,” Khamenei said, according to a report by ANI, framing the missile assault as a symbolic and strategic victory in the wake of the American aggression.
Trump Responds with Harsh Rhetoric, Halts Diplomatic Talks
Former US President Donald Trump, who has maintained a hardline stance on Iran during and after his presidency, responded to Khamenei’s statement by labeling it a “statement of anger, hatred, and disgust.” He also suspended ongoing diplomatic efforts, including negotiations aimed at easing economic sanctions imposed on Iran, which have crippled its economy.
At a press conference held at the White House, Trump left open the possibility of launching new military strikes, asserting that he would “without question, absolutely” consider military action if Iran’s nuclear capabilities were not fully dismantled. His comments added fuel to already volatile tensions and cast further uncertainty over the future of US-Iran relations.
Iran Cuts Off IAEA Access to Nuclear Sites
In a further escalation, Iran has halted all cooperation with the IAEA, including routine inspections of its nuclear facilities.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking at a press conference last week, announced that Tehran may reject future requests from the IAEA to inspect nuclear sites, citing what he described as hostile intent and lack of impartiality from the agency’s leadership.
He criticized Director General Grossi’s insistence on site visits as “meaningless” and potentially motivated by malign intentions, effectively questioning the neutrality and agenda of the IAEA itself.
According to Al Jazeera, no IAEA inspections have been permitted since June 13, the date when Israel began targeted airstrikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
The decision to suspend inspections is seen as a major setback to non-proliferation efforts and has raised alarms internationally about the possibility of unchecked uranium enrichment activities.
Grossi Warns Iran Could Resume Enrichment “Within Months”
Despite reports of serious structural and operational damage to key nuclear sites, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has warned that Iran may be able to resume enrichment operations in a relatively short time frame. In an interview with CBS News, Grossi stated that Iran could restart uranium enrichment “in a matter of months”, possibly even sooner, depending on the extent of the damage and how quickly repair efforts proceed.
“They can have, you know, in a matter of months, I would say, a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium—or maybe even less than that,” Grossi said, underscoring the urgency of restoring inspections and re-engaging diplomatically.
While Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi confirmed that the damage to sites such as Natanz and Fordow was “serious,” he also admitted that full assessments were still ongoing. Contradicting former President Trump’s bold claim that the strikes had set Iran’s nuclear program back “by decades,” Grossi clarified that much of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure remains intact and capable of being restored.
Global Concern Mounts
The current diplomatic standoff has placed the international community on high alert. The IAEA, which plays a central role in monitoring nuclear activities under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), is increasingly concerned that Iran’s withdrawal from inspection protocols could open the door to unmonitored enrichment, potentially moving the country closer to nuclear weapon capability.
As Iran’s rhetoric intensifies and military confrontations increase, the situation presents a serious threat to regional and global stability.
Rubio’s call to ensure the safety of IAEA inspectors and his appeal for international condemnation of extremist threats against Director General Grossi reflect growing fears that the nuclear crisis may spiral beyond diplomacy and into further conflict if unchecked.
(With inputs from ANI, AFP, CBS News, and Al Jazeera.)