A watchman-turned-actor ...
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This report was not only technically dubious but was issued at a time when the international community desperately needed calm and restraint. Assertions such as “reduced technical cooperation by Iran” and “uncertainty regarding the peaceful nature of the nuclear program,” released amid explicit Israeli threats, effectively tilted the narrative in favor of the aggressive party, presenting a one-sided version of reality.
More troubling still is Grossi’s media-centric approach, transforming the watchman into a visible player in geopolitical contests—contrary to the Agency’s technocratic mission. It is self-evident that sensitive technical information should not be broadcast on the global stage without thorough review and prior opportunities for dialogue and persuasion.
What is the cost of such behaviors?
Beyond the loss of lives on both sides of the 12-day war and the erosion of diplomatic processes, perhaps the gravest damage is the collapse of trust in international institutions. These bodies, which should shelter nations from weapons and propaganda, now function as part of the chain that intensifies crises.
Meanwhile, Iran—as the country that has, more than any other actor, refrained from walking away from the negotiation table—has every right to question: Has Grossi and his team truly remained impartial? And will the historical memory of nations recognize this conduct as that of a “neutral watchman”?
In the Iranian diplomatic tradition, a clear distinction has always been made between an institution and its leadership. Today’s critique is directed at the IAEA’s management, not its existence. We still believe in the necessity of a scientific, non-political, and professionally principled oversight body in the nuclear arena; but restoring trust demands that honesty in discourse and transparency in action replace the current approaches.
The conclusion of this note is not to condemn an individual but to call for institutional reflection. The Agency must return to its primary mission: preserving peace through knowledge, not sowing doubt through suspicion. If the watchman becomes an actor himself, then who will guarantee fair judgment?