Security alarm in Vienna: IAEA boss Grossi under Iranian pressure!

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Vienna increases protection for IAEA chief Grossi because of Iranian threats; Tensions between Iran and IAEA are increasing.

Wien erhöht den Schutz von IAEA-Chef Grossi wegen iranischer Bedrohungen; Spannungen zwischen Iran und IAEA zunehmen.
Vienna increases protection for IAEA chief Grossi because of Iranian threats; Tensions between Iran and IAEA are increasing.

Security alarm in Vienna: IAEA boss Grossi under Iranian pressure!

The safety of Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is currently the focus in Vienna. Due to threats from Iran, he was placed under special protection. A report from Wall Street Journal of August 26, 2025 revealed that an elite unit of the Austrian security authorities is responsible for his security. These measures come in a tense international context, with relations between Iran and the IAEA under significant strain.

The threat situation is not insignificant: the Austrian secret service has received information that indicates possible dangers for Grossi. According to him, the IAEA is the main player in the discussion about Iran's nuclear program and therefore faces increased risks. The situation is further complicated by the law signed by Iranian President Massoud Peseschkian on July 2, 2025, which suspends cooperation with the IAEA. This decision has far-reaching consequences for future inspections of nuclear facilities in Iran.

The end of cooperation with the IAEA

The Iranian government insists that future inspections of nuclear energy facilities will only be permitted with the approval of the Supreme National Security Council. This practice contradicts the IAEA's principles, which aim to promote the safe and civilian use of nuclear energy and limit military applications such as the Federal Agency for Civic Education explained.

As a result of this development, the IAEA withdrew all of its inspectors from Iran on July 4, 2025. At the urging of the E3 states - consisting of Germany, France and Great Britain - some talks were initiated, including in Geneva and Tehran, to negotiate the resumption of inspections and diplomatic steps. However, Iran has sent clear signals that it will stick to its new requirements.

The role of the nuclear program

But why does Iran insist so vehemently on its nuclear program? The reasons are complex and go back to the beginnings of the nuclear program in the 1950s. Today, Iran is the only non-nuclear weapons state that enriches uranium to near weapons-grade levels. However, despite these advances, there is no reliable evidence of building an atomic bomb, which is emphasized by many experts. Iran has around 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium and many modern centrifuges, which theoretically give it the opportunity to quickly restart a military nuclear program if the political will is there German wave.

The ongoing tensions between Iran, Israel and the USA have escalated in recent months, not least through conflicts that resulted in a twelve-day war. The political rhetoric and military activities in this region appear to be placing significant strain on diplomacy and are making negotiations over the nuclear program even more complicated.

At a time when the need for diplomacy and solutions is more urgent than ever, it remains to be seen whether Iran's leadership will be able to find a path that meets both its own security interests and international demands.