IAEA chief receives security after Iranian threats spark concern

In June 2025, Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was assigned round-the-clock security following a credible threat from Iranian-linked individuals. The assignment was reported by The Wall Street Journal, which noted that Austria's Cobra special forces unit was tasked with protecting him. This decision came after tensions escalated dramatically between Iran and Israel, highlighted by allegations from Iran that Grossi's reports on their nuclear program were biased. The conflict between Iran and Israel had intensified as Israeli forces carried out preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. The hostility stemmed from a broader geopolitical context, particularly following the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal in 2018. This withdrawal led to increased scrutiny of Iran's nuclear activities, culminating in a declaration by the IAEA's Board of Governors that Iran had violated its non-proliferation commitments. Iran's officials responded by accusing Grossi of instigating conflict, demanding his removal from the agency. Shortly after the attacks, senior Iranian figures publicly called for Grossi to be tried for supposedly influencing the hostilities through his reporting. Notably, Ali Larijani, a prominent Iranian lawmaker, suggested that after the conflict, they would