Vienna / PNN /

 The Director‑General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has called on Iran to “seriously improve” its cooperation with the agency to avoid escalating tensions with the West. 

Grossi told the Financial Times on Wednesday that the IAEA has carried out more than ten inspections in Iran since its conflict with Israel in June, but has still been denied access to nuclear facilities such as Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, Natanz Nuclear Facility and Isfahan Nuclear Facility.

He said that while the IAEA is seeking to manage its “tense” relationship with Iran with understanding, Tehran still needs to fulfil its obligations. He added: “You cannot say you are committed to the Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and then not live up to it.

In October he had flagged movement near Iran’s enriched‑uranium stockpile, though he said that did “not mean enrichment activity.

Following these remarks, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that Grossi “fully understands the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme and should not express groundless opinions about it.

Iranian officials have accused the IAEA of justifying the Israeli strikes, which began the day after the IAEA‑Board’s vote declaring Iran in violation of its NPT obligations.