TEHRAN, 11 September 2026 (Nosheen): Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has strongly criticised the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing him of undermining the organisation’s impartiality and neutrality. Baghaei said IAEA reports were being used by certain countries to build political and legal cases against other states, stressing that the agency’s findings should not be exploited for political purposes. He alleged that the IAEA’s independence and neutrality were increasingly being influenced by political agendas, which he said contradicted the organisation’s fundamental mandate. The Iranian spokesperson stressed that an institution established to contribute to international peace and security should not become part of efforts to create justification for war. Baghaei further argued that accountability for military aggression and war crimes should not be limited solely to those who launch attacks, saying countries and actors that support aggression or provide political or legal justification for such actions should also be held accountable. His remarks come amid continued tensions between Iran and international institutions over Tehran’s nuclear programme and the implementation of safeguards. Iran has repeatedly called on the IAEA to maintain its independence and avoid what Tehran considers politically motivated assessments, while the agency maintains that its inspections and reports are based on its technical mandate and verification responsibilities.