Iran has suspended its cooperation with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog agency, citing Israeli and U.S. military strikes on its uranium-enrichment facilities. President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a bill into law on Wednesday, July 2, that halts cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), according to Iranian state media.
The move follows a 12-day conflict that began with Israeli airstrikes targeting senior Iranian military and nuclear personnel. The United States later launched coordinated strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz. Iranian authorities said the attacks killed more than 900 people, while Iranian attacks in Israel killed 28 people.
What does the suspension include?
Iranian officials confirmed that IAEA inspectors currently in the country remain safe but barred them from accessing nuclear sites. According to Iran’s ambassador to the U.N., Amir Saeid Iravani, inspections have stopped and future access will require approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Lawmaker Hamid Reza Haji Babaei told Mehr News that Iran would remove IAEA surveillance cameras, though it remains unclear whether the law requires that step.
The new law does not outline a specific timeline or scope for the suspension, and the IAEA said it is still awaiting formal communication from Tehran. The agency’s director, Rafael Grossi, has repeatedly warned against attacks on nuclear facilities, calling them destabilizing.
Russia has called for an investigation into possible contamination from the U.S. and Israeli strikes, warning of environmental damage and risks to civilians.
Russia condemned the strikes as a violation of international law and IAEA safeguards. At a meeting of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in June, Russian envoy Vladimir Tarabrin warned the attacks undermined global non-proliferation efforts, potentially escalating the situation with Iran.
What are international reactions to Iran’s decision?
Germany called Iran’s suspension a “disastrous signal” and, along with Britain and France, condemned comments in Iranian media suggesting that Grossi could face trial or even execution. Those comments, the European countries said, represent a threat to the IAEA’s mandate and nuclear oversight.
Israeli officials have urged European nations to invoke a snapback provision in the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which would reimpose U.N. sanctions. Iran has warned that using the mechanism could lead it to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty entirely.
What is Iran’s current nuclear stance?
Iranian officials have declared they will enrich uranium “as needed,” including up to 90% purity, which is considered weapons-grade. Lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi said the enrichment could be used for civilian purposes, like powering large ships.
Iran insists its nuclear program remains peaceful, despite U.S. and Israeli accusations that it seeks nuclear weapons.
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Author: Devin Pavlou
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