Ankara: Iran criticized the UN nuclear watchdog on Monday over silence to recent Israeli and US attacks on the country, calling for accountability for 'aggressors.' 'One cannot expect a country to be a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and to fulfill its obligations, while the IAEA and its Director General (Rafael Grossi), as the competent authority, either remain silent or justify illegal attacks against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told a news briefing in Tehran.

According to Anadolu Agency, Baghaei stated that a recent IAEA resolution declaring Iran in breach of its nuclear obligations 'provided an excuse for the military aggression by the Zionist (Israeli) regime and the US against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities.' Baghaei emphasized that Iran has raised this issue with relevant bodies and continues to pursue it. He urged international bodies, especially the UN Security Council, to identify the aggressors officially and take steps to hold Israel and the US accountable for their actions.

Baghaei expressed doubts about ongoing cooperation with the IAEA chief following the Israeli assault. He questioned how Iran could guarantee the safety and security of the agency's inspectors when its peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked just days ago. He also condemned the French and German positions on the Israeli attacks on Iran as 'absolutely unacceptable.'

The conflict between Israel and Iran erupted on June 13, following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military, nuclear, and civilian sites, resulting in the deaths of at least 606 people and injuries to 5,332, as reported by Iran's Health Ministry. The US further escalated the conflict by bombing Iran's Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities. In response, Tehran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Israel, causing at least 29 deaths and more than 3,400 injuries, according to figures from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The conflict concluded with a US-sponsored ceasefire that took effect on June 24.