Iran suspends cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog after Israel-US strikes, ceasefire
Iran suspends cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog after Israel-US strikes, ceasefire
Iran has officially suspended its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), escalating tensions with the UN nuclear watchdog in the aftermath of a brief but intense 12-day war with Israel and the United States.
The conflict, which erupted on June 13 and ended with a ceasefire on June 24, saw coordinated Israeli and US strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. In response, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks against Israeli territory.
The clashes left over 900 people dead in Iran, according to Iranian authorities, while Israeli officials reported 28 fatalities.
Just a day after the ceasefire, Iranian lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a bill to sever cooperation with the IAEA, accusing the agency of failing to condemn the attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.
The measure was later endorsed by the Guardian Council and formally ratified by President Masoud Pezeshkian.
“Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian promulgated the law suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency,” state television reported on Wednesday.
Iranian officials have harshly criticized IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, accusing him of turning a blind eye to what they described as acts of aggression against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
The criticism follows a June 12 resolution by the IAEA accusing Tehran of failing to meet its nuclear obligations, a document Iranian authorities claim provided justification for the strikes.
Tehran also rejected a request from Grossi to inspect the bombed sites, with officials alleging the visit would serve “malign intent.”
Although Iranian leaders denied making threats against Grossi or agency inspectors, the rhetoric has turned increasingly hostile.
The hardline Kayhan newspaper went as far as accusing Grossi of being an Israeli spy and calling for his execution — a claim Iran’s government has not publicly endorsed.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the parliamentary decision reflected “the concern and anger of Iranian public opinion” over both the attacks and the IAEA’s perceived inaction.
The war began with Israeli airstrikes that killed several senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. Days later, the U.S. launched unprecedented strikes on Iran’s key nuclear facilities in Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the American attacks “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, though Iranian officials maintain that their technological capabilities remain intact despite “serious” damage.
Speaking to CBS News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “One cannot obliterate the technology and science… through bombings.”
Israel and several Western nations have long accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, a charge Iran has consistently denied, insisting its nuclear program is purely civilian.
