Iranian lawmakers on Sunday stepped up accusations against UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi while denying the existence of the ceasefire with Israel.
“There is no ceasefire in place, and we are currently in a temporary pause phase of the war,” Esmail Kowsari, a member of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee said.
“Although our attack on the US base in Qatar caused no human casualties, that base, which is the American command center and very well equipped, was destroyed by our attack,” he added.
Separately, Abolfazl Zohrevand, another member of the National Security Committee, accused Grossi of aiding US and Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites and the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists.
“The role of Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in inciting and aiding US and Israeli attacks on nuclear sites and the assassination of nuclear scientists is completely clear,” he said.
“Grossi has shown that he is unfit to hold this position and should be dealt with.”
Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff, expressed skepticism about the longevity of the current ceasefire during a phone call with Saudi Arabia’s defense minister.
He said that Iran is prepared to respond to any attack.
“We have doubts about the durability of the ceasefire and are prepared to respond to any aggression,” Mousavi added.
The Iranian people demonstrated their appreciation for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s “wise and courageous management” during funerals for senior military commanders and nuclear scientists, said Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in a Sunday speech at the parliament.
The US and Israel suffered a “historic and severe defeat” in the recent 12-day war, he said again.
The official funeral was held in Tehran yesterday, but Khamenei, who has remained hidden in a protected underground bunker since the start of the Israel-Iran conflict, did not attend.
An opposition figure in Iran who had been under house arrest for many years says Israel’s influence is not limited to the military and their influence is everywhere.
“Any sensible and concerned person can feel their footprint in security and political decisions,” said the Green Movement leader Mehdi Karroubi.
“The country’s security capabilities should be focused on containing Israel, not political critics, cultural figures, or even women’s hair,” he added.
