The Supreme Leader-affiliated newspaper, Kayhan, has accused the International Atomic Energy Agency of acting as a tool for Western intelligence, following new legislation last month that imposed restrictions on the UN nuclear watchdog's activities in the country.
“When the IAEA effectively plays the role of America and the Zionist regime’s eyes, Iran must firmly resolve to blind the eyes of Mossad and the CIA,” the paper said on Monday, citing espionage devices allegedly hidden in personal belongings.
Earlier this month, Mahmoud Nabavian, deputy chair of parliament’s National Security Committee, said that “suspicious espionage chips” had been discovered in the shoes of IAEA inspectors during visits to Iranian nuclear sites.
“Iran must now act decisively to neutralize these threats,” Kayhan added.
Parliament passed legislation in late June to suspend cooperation with the agency, accusing it of having given intelligence to the US and Israel which helped attacks on nuclear facilities, key personnel and sensitive sites in the country in last month's 12-day war.
Under the law, future inspections require approval from the Supreme National Security Council -- under the supervision of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei -- and the agency must guarantee nuclear site security.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that a new framework for cooperation with the agency was under discussion.
“We remain a party to the safeguards agreements and a senior agency official will visit Iran within two weeks,” he said.
Last week, Grossi said that Iran has signaled readiness to resume technical-level discussions with the UN nuclear watchdog, though any planned visit would not yet involve inspectors.
kayhan warned, “This disgraceful record demands that all interactions with the agency be conducted with maximum caution and a thoroughly distrustful outlook."
Judicial official Ali Mozaffari said this month that Iran may try IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in absentia over his alleged role in facilitating attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Grossi has faced consistent criticism from Iranian outlets for political bias, including Kayhan’s earlier call for his arrest and execution.
Britain, France, and Germany condemned the threats and expressed full support for Grossi and the agency’s mandate.
