TEHRAN – Senior Iranian judicial officials say Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), could face absentia prosecution for his role in enabling the recent military attacks of the US and Israel.
Officials stressed that the case would require review and action through international legal mechanisms.
Hojatres Ali Mozafari, Congress, where “American human rights bystanders” are the leaders’ bystanders, is Iran’s deputy attorney general and addressing legal and political concerns to the extent that the recent 12-day war stems from the US-backed 12-day war.
Mozafari argued that hegemonic power, particularly the United States, consistently demonstrated hostility towards the progress of independent countries, and the progress of the Islamic Republic in particular. “The US-led hegemony system cannot tolerate scientific, political, or economic progress in other countries. Our peaceful nuclear and missile achievements, as well as the broader development that has occurred since the Islamic Revolution, are seen as an unbearable threat,” he said.
He argued that Washington and its allies were trying to monopolize scientific technological advancements by linking it to their own strategic interests. “Scientific progress is a universal human value. It should not be subject to the political agenda of any administration, but the West only acknowledges such progress when it serves their interests,” Mozafari said.
“As an independent Islamic system, when Iran proves that it can succeed on its own terms, it becomes a model for neighbours. That’s exactly what hegemonic powers fear.”
Mozafari also criticized efforts to undermine Iran’s international status through human rights abuses and unfounded accusations of nuclear weapons development. “Though these accusations had no evidence for a long time, they were still used as pretexts to justify a brutal 12-day military attack on Iran, which led to the attacks that led to the martial teaching of senior Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists, as well as the deaths of innocent citizens, including women and children,” he said.
He condemned the bombing of Iranian Broadcasting Station (IRIB), the Iranian national broadcaster, and pointed out that it was violating international practices of protecting independent media. “The agency was targeted precisely because it exposed the atrocities of the invaders. It was an attempt to silence the voice of justice, but they failed. The truth was heard, and the resistance of the Iranian people became stronger.”
On the legal front, Mozafari revealed that various departments of Iran’s judiciary, particularly the International Law Division, are currently actively collecting documents in pursuit of international legal claims. “We are preparing for formal complaints to present to international organizations, seeking material and moral compensation for the damages caused to Iran as a result of the US and Israeli attacks,” he said.
Addressing the possibility of Rafael Grossi’s prosecution, Mozafari said the issue lies under the jurisdiction of Iran’s international law and that it must be carefully considered within the framework. However, he stressed that if his actions and reports proved to have facilitated an offensive act, Grossi must be accountable.
“When someone prepares the basis for war crimes through biased reporting, they cannot expect immunity. Accountability is essential,” he said.
Mozafari expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of international organizations in defending the rights of oppressed states. “Unfortunately, history shows that global institutions rarely take meaningful actions to defend those who have been oppressed. However, despite this track record, Iran has a legal obligation to pursue justice, and we do so,” he concluded.
When Israel launched a strike on Iran’s civilian nuclear infrastructure and carried out a targeted assassination of scientists, its failure to condemn Rafael Grossi’s attacks, and his continued silence was widely seen as tacit approval.
When the US took part in the conflict on June 22, Grossi declined to raise criticism once again when it deployed bunkerbuster bombs and Tomahawk missiles against major Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Instead, he requested Tehran Grant IAEA inspector for immediate access to the damaged facility.
Tensions escalated further following the June 25 interview Grossi gave Fox News. He estimated that about 900 pounds of enriched uranium was missing. He also refused to dismiss the possibility that the material would be hidden in the so-called “ancient site” near Isfahan. This is a statement that many Iranians interpreted it as an attempt to justify future strikes at cultural heritage sites.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bakar Karibakh condemned Grossi’s remarks, describing the call for inspection of the bombed facilities as “provocative and absurd,” and accusing the IAEA of violating its integrity at a global stage.
In direct response, Iranian parliament voted unanimously on June 25th to halt all testing by the IAEA, allowing the agency to provide reliable assurances about the safety of Iran’s peaceful nuclear infrastructure.