Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Reza Najafi, used an emergency meeting of the U.N. nuclear watchdog on Monday to denounce U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and reject longstanding Western allegations that Tehran is pursuing nuclear weapons. Speaking before the IAEA’s 35-member Board of Governors in Vienna, Najafi said accusations about weapons of mass destruction had repeatedly been used as a pretext for military intervention. Reuters reported that he told reporters Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility had been targeted a day earlier.
“The historical evidence shows that the issue of possible weapons of mass destruction in countries is just a pretext to attack and invade,” Najafi said, linking the current crisis to earlier intelligence controversies that have shaped global distrust over war justifications. His remarks came as Iran pressed the agency to condemn the attacks and reaffirm what it says is the protected status of its civilian nuclear programme.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, however, said the agency had so far found no evidence that any of Iran’s nuclear installations had been damaged. In his opening statement to the Board of Governors, Grossi said: “Regarding the status of the nuclear installations in Iran, up to now, we have no indication that any of the nuclear installations, including the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, the Tehran Research Reactor, and the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant have been hit.” He described developments in the region as “very concerning” and urged “utmost restraint.”
Grossi also warned that military action around nuclear infrastructure carries serious risks, including the possibility of radiological consequences if facilities are struck. The extraordinary session took place just before the start of a previously scheduled regular meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors, underscoring the urgency of the confrontation.
Western governments, led by the United States and Israel, have long accused Iran of seeking the capability to build nuclear weapons. Tehran denies that charge, insisting its nuclear programme is for peaceful civilian purposes and remains under international safeguards.
The sharp disagreement between Iran and the IAEA over whether any nuclear site was hit has added to uncertainty surrounding the latest escalation. While Iran says Natanz was struck, the IAEA says it has no verified indication of damage and is continuing to monitor the situation, including through satellite imagery and contact with Iranian authorities where possible.
