Police review rapper's Glastonbury anti-Israel comments
British police are examining videos of a band that led chants of "death to the IDF" or Israel Defense Forces at the Glastonbury Festival.
Rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds attending the festival in chants of "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF" on Saturday.
Avon and Somerset Police said video evidence would be assessed by officers "to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation."
The Israeli Embassy to the UK said on social media it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival."
Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Sunday condemned the band's actions as "appalling".
He told Sky News the BBC and festival organisers had to answer questions about how the comments were broadcast live to millions.
The government said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan's performance.
The BBC said it issued a warning on screen about "very strong and discriminatory language" during the live stream.
Glastonbury is Britain's biggest summer music festival and draws some 200,000 music fans each year to Worthy Farm in southwest England. Almost 4000 acts perform on 120 stages.
Festival organisers said on Instagram that Vylan's chants "very much crossed a line."
"We are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence."
"With almost 4000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer's presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs," it said.
Saturday's festival lineup also included Irish-language rap group Kneecap, which gave an impassioned performance for tens of thousands of fans despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organisation for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November.
The rapper, who was charged under the anglicized version of his name, Liam O'Hanna, is on unconditional bail before a further court hearing in August.
The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references, and for political statements, especially since videos emerged allegedly showing the band shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" and calling on people to kill politicians.
On Saturday, band members led the audience in chants of "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara".
They also aimed an expletive-laden chant at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has said he didn't think it was "appropriate" for Kneecap to play Glastonbury.
with PA
British police are examining videos of a band that led chants of "death to the IDF" or Israel Defense Forces at the Glastonbury Festival.
Rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds attending the festival in chants of "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF" on Saturday.
Avon and Somerset Police said video evidence would be assessed by officers "to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation."
The Israeli Embassy to the UK said on social media it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival."
Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Sunday condemned the band's actions as "appalling".
He told Sky News the BBC and festival organisers had to answer questions about how the comments were broadcast live to millions.
The government said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan's performance.
The BBC said it issued a warning on screen about "very strong and discriminatory language" during the live stream.
Glastonbury is Britain's biggest summer music festival and draws some 200,000 music fans each year to Worthy Farm in southwest England. Almost 4000 acts perform on 120 stages.
Festival organisers said on Instagram that Vylan's chants "very much crossed a line."
"We are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence."
"With almost 4000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer's presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs," it said.
Saturday's festival lineup also included Irish-language rap group Kneecap, which gave an impassioned performance for tens of thousands of fans despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organisation for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November.
The rapper, who was charged under the anglicized version of his name, Liam O'Hanna, is on unconditional bail before a further court hearing in August.
The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references, and for political statements, especially since videos emerged allegedly showing the band shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" and calling on people to kill politicians.
On Saturday, band members led the audience in chants of "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara".
They also aimed an expletive-laden chant at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has said he didn't think it was "appropriate" for Kneecap to play Glastonbury.
with PA
British police are examining videos of a band that led chants of "death to the IDF" or Israel Defense Forces at the Glastonbury Festival.
Rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds attending the festival in chants of "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF" on Saturday.
Avon and Somerset Police said video evidence would be assessed by officers "to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation."
The Israeli Embassy to the UK said on social media it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival."
Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Sunday condemned the band's actions as "appalling".
He told Sky News the BBC and festival organisers had to answer questions about how the comments were broadcast live to millions.
The government said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan's performance.
The BBC said it issued a warning on screen about "very strong and discriminatory language" during the live stream.
Glastonbury is Britain's biggest summer music festival and draws some 200,000 music fans each year to Worthy Farm in southwest England. Almost 4000 acts perform on 120 stages.
Festival organisers said on Instagram that Vylan's chants "very much crossed a line."
"We are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence."
"With almost 4000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer's presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs," it said.
Saturday's festival lineup also included Irish-language rap group Kneecap, which gave an impassioned performance for tens of thousands of fans despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organisation for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November.
The rapper, who was charged under the anglicized version of his name, Liam O'Hanna, is on unconditional bail before a further court hearing in August.
The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references, and for political statements, especially since videos emerged allegedly showing the band shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" and calling on people to kill politicians.
On Saturday, band members led the audience in chants of "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara".
They also aimed an expletive-laden chant at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has said he didn't think it was "appropriate" for Kneecap to play Glastonbury.
with PA
British police are examining videos of a band that led chants of "death to the IDF" or Israel Defense Forces at the Glastonbury Festival.
Rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds attending the festival in chants of "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF" on Saturday.
Avon and Somerset Police said video evidence would be assessed by officers "to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation."
The Israeli Embassy to the UK said on social media it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival."
Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Sunday condemned the band's actions as "appalling".
He told Sky News the BBC and festival organisers had to answer questions about how the comments were broadcast live to millions.
The government said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan's performance.
The BBC said it issued a warning on screen about "very strong and discriminatory language" during the live stream.
Glastonbury is Britain's biggest summer music festival and draws some 200,000 music fans each year to Worthy Farm in southwest England. Almost 4000 acts perform on 120 stages.
Festival organisers said on Instagram that Vylan's chants "very much crossed a line."
"We are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence."
"With almost 4000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer's presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs," it said.
Saturday's festival lineup also included Irish-language rap group Kneecap, which gave an impassioned performance for tens of thousands of fans despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organisation for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November.
The rapper, who was charged under the anglicized version of his name, Liam O'Hanna, is on unconditional bail before a further court hearing in August.
The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references, and for political statements, especially since videos emerged allegedly showing the band shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" and calling on people to kill politicians.
On Saturday, band members led the audience in chants of "Free Palestine" and "Free Mo Chara".
They also aimed an expletive-laden chant at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has said he didn't think it was "appropriate" for Kneecap to play Glastonbury.
with PA
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Israeli tanks pushed into the eastern areas of the suburb of Zeitoun in Gaza City and shelled several areas in the north, while aircraft bombed at least four schools after ordering hundreds of families sheltering inside to leave, residents said. The Israeli military said it struck militant targets in northern Gaza, including command and control centres, after taking steps to mitigate the risk of harming civilians. The heavy bombardment followed new evacuation orders to vast areas in the north, where Israeli forces had operated before and left behind wide-scale destruction. Health officials in Gaza said at least 38 people had been killed on Monday. Medics said most of the casualties were hit by gunfire, but residents also reported an airstrike. 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Aussie coach's Swift response to Lions eligibility jibe
Jokes about the British and Irish Lions' eligibility haven't stuck according to laid back captain Maro Itoje, who has laughed off the expectation of more to come as the "Australian way". Ten players in Andy Farrell's squad, including Australian-born trio Finlay Bealham, Sione Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen, were born outside England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They have qualified either through family or long-term residency, with Hansen and Tuipulotu Australian under-20 teammates and Super Rugby graduates before their moves. Banter was thrown in Saturday's clash with the Western Force in Perth, with the Optus Stadium ground announcer quick to reference the tourist's foreign roots. Centre Bundee Aki and No.9 Jamison Gibson-Park were born in New Zealand but now star for Ireland and will feature in a strong Lions team against the Reds. "As long as they play a bit of Taylor Swift I'll be happy," Reds coach Les Kiss quipped when asked if he expects more jibes over the Suncorp Stadium speakers. "I don't think we'll be getting into that space." Kiss, a former Queensland and Australian rugby league winger, earnt his rugby coaching stripes in a two-decade stint that included success with the Ireland Test team as well as Irish and English clubs. "I've coached a number of those boys. Finlay Bealham was there early," Kiss said of the prop, who moved to Ireland as an 18-year-old. "It's not a light-hearted, easy thing to do. "It's an opportunity. To Mack Hansen, Bundee, I say, 'good on them'. "You get opportunities in different ways. A lot (of banter) is tongue and cheek and have a bit of fun, and that will continue. "The way Aussies like to use our humour - I think the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish, they get it." Reds and Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler agreed. "It could feel like an away game, we might need it," he laughed. "But I think Aussie fans dance on that line quite well. "When the Lions tour, new and old rugby fans come out of the works and see how good international rugby is. "There'll be a fair bit of chat if you go to Caxton Street, a bit of to-and-fro." Lions captain Itoje, who watched from the stands in Perth, is on the same page. "It's the Australian way, isn't it?" he smiled. "They love their sport. Rugby's a little different on a Lions tour. You can feel the atmosphere. It's heightened in comparison to when we were here with England. "As the tour goes on, the atmosphere will build and build and build. "It's just a sports-loving country; aggressive competitors, a little bit chirpy." Jokes about the British and Irish Lions' eligibility haven't stuck according to laid back captain Maro Itoje, who has laughed off the expectation of more to come as the "Australian way". Ten players in Andy Farrell's squad, including Australian-born trio Finlay Bealham, Sione Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen, were born outside England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They have qualified either through family or long-term residency, with Hansen and Tuipulotu Australian under-20 teammates and Super Rugby graduates before their moves. Banter was thrown in Saturday's clash with the Western Force in Perth, with the Optus Stadium ground announcer quick to reference the tourist's foreign roots. Centre Bundee Aki and No.9 Jamison Gibson-Park were born in New Zealand but now star for Ireland and will feature in a strong Lions team against the Reds. "As long as they play a bit of Taylor Swift I'll be happy," Reds coach Les Kiss quipped when asked if he expects more jibes over the Suncorp Stadium speakers. "I don't think we'll be getting into that space." Kiss, a former Queensland and Australian rugby league winger, earnt his rugby coaching stripes in a two-decade stint that included success with the Ireland Test team as well as Irish and English clubs. "I've coached a number of those boys. Finlay Bealham was there early," Kiss said of the prop, who moved to Ireland as an 18-year-old. "It's not a light-hearted, easy thing to do. "It's an opportunity. To Mack Hansen, Bundee, I say, 'good on them'. "You get opportunities in different ways. A lot (of banter) is tongue and cheek and have a bit of fun, and that will continue. "The way Aussies like to use our humour - I think the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish, they get it." Reds and Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler agreed. "It could feel like an away game, we might need it," he laughed. "But I think Aussie fans dance on that line quite well. "When the Lions tour, new and old rugby fans come out of the works and see how good international rugby is. "There'll be a fair bit of chat if you go to Caxton Street, a bit of to-and-fro." Lions captain Itoje, who watched from the stands in Perth, is on the same page. "It's the Australian way, isn't it?" he smiled. "They love their sport. Rugby's a little different on a Lions tour. You can feel the atmosphere. It's heightened in comparison to when we were here with England. "As the tour goes on, the atmosphere will build and build and build. "It's just a sports-loving country; aggressive competitors, a little bit chirpy." Jokes about the British and Irish Lions' eligibility haven't stuck according to laid back captain Maro Itoje, who has laughed off the expectation of more to come as the "Australian way". Ten players in Andy Farrell's squad, including Australian-born trio Finlay Bealham, Sione Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen, were born outside England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They have qualified either through family or long-term residency, with Hansen and Tuipulotu Australian under-20 teammates and Super Rugby graduates before their moves. Banter was thrown in Saturday's clash with the Western Force in Perth, with the Optus Stadium ground announcer quick to reference the tourist's foreign roots. Centre Bundee Aki and No.9 Jamison Gibson-Park were born in New Zealand but now star for Ireland and will feature in a strong Lions team against the Reds. "As long as they play a bit of Taylor Swift I'll be happy," Reds coach Les Kiss quipped when asked if he expects more jibes over the Suncorp Stadium speakers. "I don't think we'll be getting into that space." Kiss, a former Queensland and Australian rugby league winger, earnt his rugby coaching stripes in a two-decade stint that included success with the Ireland Test team as well as Irish and English clubs. "I've coached a number of those boys. Finlay Bealham was there early," Kiss said of the prop, who moved to Ireland as an 18-year-old. "It's not a light-hearted, easy thing to do. "It's an opportunity. To Mack Hansen, Bundee, I say, 'good on them'. "You get opportunities in different ways. A lot (of banter) is tongue and cheek and have a bit of fun, and that will continue. "The way Aussies like to use our humour - I think the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish, they get it." Reds and Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler agreed. "It could feel like an away game, we might need it," he laughed. "But I think Aussie fans dance on that line quite well. "When the Lions tour, new and old rugby fans come out of the works and see how good international rugby is. "There'll be a fair bit of chat if you go to Caxton Street, a bit of to-and-fro." Lions captain Itoje, who watched from the stands in Perth, is on the same page. "It's the Australian way, isn't it?" he smiled. "They love their sport. Rugby's a little different on a Lions tour. You can feel the atmosphere. It's heightened in comparison to when we were here with England. "As the tour goes on, the atmosphere will build and build and build. "It's just a sports-loving country; aggressive competitors, a little bit chirpy."
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UK, France condemn 'threats' against nuclear watchdog
Britain, France and Germany have condemned what they describe as threats against the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and called on Iran to guarantee the safety of agency staff. "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 and the DG in carrying out their mandate," said a joint statement issued by the foreign affairs ministries of those three countries. "We call on Iranian authorities to refrain from any steps to cease co-operation with the IAEA. We urge Iran to immediately resume full co-operation in line with its legally binding obligations, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel," they added. The three European countries are parties to a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. Their joint statement did not specify what threats had been made against Grossi, but it follows an article in Iran's Kayhan newspaper, known for hardline views and closely associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which accused Grossi of having ties to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The newspaper said that, should Grossi enter Iran, he should be tried and sentenced to death. Iranian officials have not publicly endorsed the newspaper article. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said there was no threat against Grossi. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Grossi was not currently welcome in Iran, accusing him of having carried out "malign action" and playing a "regrettable role" that had led to Iran's parliament voting to suspend co-operation with the IAEA. Iranian officials have long blamed the agency for providing justification used by Israel for its 12-day campaign of airstrikes against Iran, which began on June 13, a day after the nuclear watchdog's board declared Iran in violation of treaty obligations. "Misleading narratives have dire consequences, Mr Grossi, and demand accountability," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on June 19. On Monday, Baghaei said it could not be expected to guarantee the safety of IAEA inspectors, so swiftly after its nuclear sites were hit by Israeli and US strikes in the 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire last week. "How can they expect us to ensure the safety and security of the agency's inspectors when Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked a few days ago?" he told a news conference. Baghaei said the parliamentary bill calling for the government to withdraw co-operation with the IAEA had been approved by the Guardian Council, a security body controlled by appointees of the supreme leader, and carrying it out was now mandatory. "Iran shouldn't be expected to accept its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the UN nuclear watchdog has stopped short of condemning the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites," Baghaei said. Britain, France and Germany have condemned what they describe as threats against the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and called on Iran to guarantee the safety of agency staff. "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 and the DG in carrying out their mandate," said a joint statement issued by the foreign affairs ministries of those three countries. "We call on Iranian authorities to refrain from any steps to cease co-operation with the IAEA. We urge Iran to immediately resume full co-operation in line with its legally binding obligations, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel," they added. The three European countries are parties to a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. Their joint statement did not specify what threats had been made against Grossi, but it follows an article in Iran's Kayhan newspaper, known for hardline views and closely associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which accused Grossi of having ties to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The newspaper said that, should Grossi enter Iran, he should be tried and sentenced to death. Iranian officials have not publicly endorsed the newspaper article. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said there was no threat against Grossi. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Grossi was not currently welcome in Iran, accusing him of having carried out "malign action" and playing a "regrettable role" that had led to Iran's parliament voting to suspend co-operation with the IAEA. Iranian officials have long blamed the agency for providing justification used by Israel for its 12-day campaign of airstrikes against Iran, which began on June 13, a day after the nuclear watchdog's board declared Iran in violation of treaty obligations. "Misleading narratives have dire consequences, Mr Grossi, and demand accountability," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on June 19. On Monday, Baghaei said it could not be expected to guarantee the safety of IAEA inspectors, so swiftly after its nuclear sites were hit by Israeli and US strikes in the 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire last week. "How can they expect us to ensure the safety and security of the agency's inspectors when Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked a few days ago?" he told a news conference. Baghaei said the parliamentary bill calling for the government to withdraw co-operation with the IAEA had been approved by the Guardian Council, a security body controlled by appointees of the supreme leader, and carrying it out was now mandatory. "Iran shouldn't be expected to accept its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the UN nuclear watchdog has stopped short of condemning the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites," Baghaei said. Britain, France and Germany have condemned what they describe as threats against the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and called on Iran to guarantee the safety of agency staff. "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 and the DG in carrying out their mandate," said a joint statement issued by the foreign affairs ministries of those three countries. "We call on Iranian authorities to refrain from any steps to cease co-operation with the IAEA. We urge Iran to immediately resume full co-operation in line with its legally binding obligations, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel," they added. The three European countries are parties to a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. Their joint statement did not specify what threats had been made against Grossi, but it follows an article in Iran's Kayhan newspaper, known for hardline views and closely associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which accused Grossi of having ties to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The newspaper said that, should Grossi enter Iran, he should be tried and sentenced to death. Iranian officials have not publicly endorsed the newspaper article. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said there was no threat against Grossi. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Grossi was not currently welcome in Iran, accusing him of having carried out "malign action" and playing a "regrettable role" that had led to Iran's parliament voting to suspend co-operation with the IAEA. Iranian officials have long blamed the agency for providing justification used by Israel for its 12-day campaign of airstrikes against Iran, which began on June 13, a day after the nuclear watchdog's board declared Iran in violation of treaty obligations. "Misleading narratives have dire consequences, Mr Grossi, and demand accountability," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on June 19. On Monday, Baghaei said it could not be expected to guarantee the safety of IAEA inspectors, so swiftly after its nuclear sites were hit by Israeli and US strikes in the 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire last week. "How can they expect us to ensure the safety and security of the agency's inspectors when Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked a few days ago?" he told a news conference. Baghaei said the parliamentary bill calling for the government to withdraw co-operation with the IAEA had been approved by the Guardian Council, a security body controlled by appointees of the supreme leader, and carrying it out was now mandatory. "Iran shouldn't be expected to accept its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the UN nuclear watchdog has stopped short of condemning the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites," Baghaei said. Britain, France and Germany have condemned what they describe as threats against the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and called on Iran to guarantee the safety of agency staff. "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 and the DG in carrying out their mandate," said a joint statement issued by the foreign affairs ministries of those three countries. "We call on Iranian authorities to refrain from any steps to cease co-operation with the IAEA. We urge Iran to immediately resume full co-operation in line with its legally binding obligations, and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of IAEA personnel," they added. The three European countries are parties to a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. Their joint statement did not specify what threats had been made against Grossi, but it follows an article in Iran's Kayhan newspaper, known for hardline views and closely associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which accused Grossi of having ties to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The newspaper said that, should Grossi enter Iran, he should be tried and sentenced to death. Iranian officials have not publicly endorsed the newspaper article. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said there was no threat against Grossi. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Grossi was not currently welcome in Iran, accusing him of having carried out "malign action" and playing a "regrettable role" that had led to Iran's parliament voting to suspend co-operation with the IAEA. Iranian officials have long blamed the agency for providing justification used by Israel for its 12-day campaign of airstrikes against Iran, which began on June 13, a day after the nuclear watchdog's board declared Iran in violation of treaty obligations. "Misleading narratives have dire consequences, Mr Grossi, and demand accountability," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on June 19. On Monday, Baghaei said it could not be expected to guarantee the safety of IAEA inspectors, so swiftly after its nuclear sites were hit by Israeli and US strikes in the 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire last week. "How can they expect us to ensure the safety and security of the agency's inspectors when Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities were attacked a few days ago?" he told a news conference. Baghaei said the parliamentary bill calling for the government to withdraw co-operation with the IAEA had been approved by the Guardian Council, a security body controlled by appointees of the supreme leader, and carrying it out was now mandatory. "Iran shouldn't be expected to accept its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when the UN nuclear watchdog has stopped short of condemning the attacks on Iran's nuclear sites," Baghaei said.
