Iran opposes IAEA chief's call for new nuclear deal Both reformists and conservatives in Iran have accused Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), of double standards over remarks he made about the need for a new agreement covering Iran's nuclear programme. On 17 December, Grossi said that to return the United States to the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), President-elect Joe Biden would require reaching a new agreement with Iran, given the changed circumstances since it was reached. Politicians and media from across the political spectrum in Iran condemned Grossi's remarks, saying that he had turned a blind eye to the US unilateral withdrawal from the deal in 2018 and the European powers' (the UK, France and Germany) inaction after the US had left the agreement.