Escalating Tensions in the Middle East: IAEA Chief Urges Diplomacy Amid US Strikes

US Strikes Intensify Middle East Tensions

Over the weekend, tensions in the Middle East escalated significantly following the United States' military strikes on three critical Iranian nuclear facilities. The operation, dubbed 'Operation Midnight Hammer,' involved B-2 bombers and bunker-buster munitions. In response to these developments, Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), addressed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), warning of the fragile situation in Iran. During an emergency session on Sunday, Grossi stressed the importance of pursuing diplomatic avenues.

Grossi called for all involved parties to re-engage in negotiations and allow IAEA inspectors to evaluate the Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan following the military actions. He stated, 'Iran, Israel, and the broader Middle East require peace, and there exists a diplomatic path forward. We must return to the negotiating table.'

IAEA Chief's Call for Inspection and Peace

On Monday, Grossi took to social media platform X, emphasizing the necessity for IAEA inspectors to fulfill their responsibilities, which include verifying the presence of 400kg of uranium enriched to 60%. He noted that achieving this requires halting hostilities, asserting that any agreement must be based on verified facts, which can only be established through IAEA inspections.

IAEA inspectors are in Iran, and they must do their job, including verifying 400kg of uranium enriched to 60%.
For that, we need a cessation of hostilities. Any arrangement requires establishing the facts on the ground, which can be done only through IAEA inspections.

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) June 22, 2025

Furthermore, Grossi issued a grave warning regarding the potential for conflict escalation, stating, 'If the opportunity for diplomacy is lost, the levels of violence and destruction could become unimaginable, jeopardizing the global non-proliferation framework.'

The Urgency of Diplomatic Solutions

He elaborated on the critical nature of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, which has been a cornerstone of international security for over fifty years. The recent bombings in Iran have intensified the situation, raising concerns about the potential for a broader conflict. Grossi reiterated, 'We have a crucial opportunity to return to dialogue and diplomacy. If this opportunity is missed, the consequences could be catastrophic, leading to the collapse of the non-proliferation regime as we know it.'