Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said Sunday that Tehran poses no threat to the head of the UN nuclear watchdog nor its inspectors, after an Iranian newspaper claimed that Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi was an Israeli spy and called for him to be executed.

Iran’s ultra-conservative Kayhan newspaper recently alleged that unspecified documents showed Grossi to be an Israeli spy.

“It should therefore be officially announced that he will be tried and executed upon arrival in Iran for spying for the Mossad and participating in the murder of the oppressed people of our country,” the newspaper said.

“No, there is not any threat” against the inspectors or the director general, Iran’s Ambassador to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani said in an interview with US broadcaster CBS. The ambassador said inspectors in Iran were “in safe conditions.”

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, however, called Grossi’s request to visit Iranian nuclear facilities that were targeted by American and Israeli airstrikes “meaningless” and “possibly malign in intent.”

The IAEA issued a report shortly before Israel attacked Iran earlier this month saying that Tehran was carrying out covert nuclear activities with material not declared to the UN watchdog.

The Iranian hostility to Grossi drew a sharp rebuke from Germany, Argentina, and France on Sunday.

“I commend Director General Rafael Grossi and........

© The Times of Israel