Bangladesh, June 29 -- In a dramatic escalation of tensions between Tehran and international nuclear watchdog authorities, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has strongly condemned reported calls in Iranian state-affiliated media for the arrest and execution of Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The condemnation comes in the wake of Irans hardening stance toward international inspections and growing hostilities triggered by recent attacks on its nuclear infrastructure.

Rubio, who took over as Secretary of State earlier this year, made the statement on June 29 through a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “Calls in Iran for the arrest and execution of IAEA Directo...