Iran Bans UN Nuclear Watchdog, Threatens IAEA Chief With Execution

In a dramatic escalation of its nuclear standoff with the West, Iran has barred the head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog from entering the country and banned all surveillance equipment from its nuclear facilities. The regime is also openly threatening the life of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, with one state-supervised newspaper calling for his execution.

“Iran will no longer allow Rafael Grossi or surveillance cameras at its nuclear sites,” announced Iranian Vice Speaker Hamid Reza Haji Babaei, according to the state-run Mehr News Agency. The regime claims its decision is based on Israeli intelligence supposedly exposing sensitive facility data.

More chillingly, Iran’s state-controlled Kayhan newspaper directly overseen by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei published a call to arrest and execute Grossi if he sets foot in Iran. The charge? “Spying for Mossad” and aiding in the “killing of the oppressed people” of Iran.

This latest provocation comes just days after:

• U.S. and Israeli forces launched Operation Midnight Hammer, decimating Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan.

• President Trump confirmed Iran’s top enrichment facilities were hit with 30,000-pound bunker busters and Tomahawk missiles.

• The IAEA warned Iran could still be hiding enriched uranium stockpiles, making immediate inspection critical to preventing nuclear breakout.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio blasted Iran’s threats, calling them “unacceptable” and praising the IAEA’s “dedication and professionalism.” Rubio added, “We call on Iran to provide for the safety and security of IAEA personnel.”

Grossi himself stressed the urgency of international access, warning, “They can have, you know, in a matter of months, a few cascades of centrifuges spinning we don’t know where this material could be.”

This is a clear signal: Iran is cornered and dangerous. After suffering devastating blows to its nuclear program, the regime is lashing out targeting not just Israel and the U.S., but now international inspectors too.

If Tehran follows through on these threats, it won’t just be violating international law. It will be declaring itself a rogue state willing to defy the global order to shield its nuclear ambitions.

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