The UK, France and Germany have jointly condemned threats directed at Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), amid rising tensions between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog.

The condemnation follows Iran’s rejection of the IAEA’s request to inspect nuclear sites recently targeted in military strikes reportedly carried out by Israel and the United States.

Iran accused Grossi of “betraying his duties” by failing to denounce the attacks, and its parliament has since voted to suspend cooperation with the agency.

In a joint statement on Monday, the foreign ministers of the three European countries, Jean-Noel Barrot (France), Johann Wadephul (Germany), and David Lammy (UK) expressed their support to the IAEA.

“France, Germany, and the United Kingdom condemn threats against the Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, and reiterate our full support to the agency,” the statement read.

They urged Iranian authorities to avoid any actions that would further restrict cooperation with the IAEA, stressing the need for Iran to uphold its international obligations.

“We urge Iran to immediately resume full cooperation in line with its legally binding obligations and take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel,” the statement added.

The calls by the three countries follows the earlier reaction by the US last week, also condemning the threats.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “Calls in Iran for the arrest and execution of IAEA Director General Grossi are unacceptable and should be condemned.

“We support the IAEA’s critical verification and monitoring efforts in Iran and commend its professionalism. Iran must ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel,” he wrote on X.

Tensions escalated last week when Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed Grossi’s insistence on inspecting bombed nuclear facilities as “meaningless” and potentially “malign in intent.”

Iran has argued that a June 12 IAEA resolution accusing it of failing to meet nuclear obligations was used as a pretext for Israel’s June 13 military campaign, which ended in a fragile ceasefire last week.

While Iranian officials deny threatening IAEA inspectors directly, Iran’s hardline Kayhan newspaper recently accused Grossi of being an Israeli spy and called for his execution — a statement that drew international outrage.

Argentina, Grossi’s home country, has also condemned the threats, expressing solidarity with the IAEA chief.

Despite the Iranian ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, insisting that IAEA inspectors remain “in safe conditions,” their operations inside Iran remain suspended.