Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian enacted a law on Wednesday that suspends the country’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog, Iranian state media reported.
New Restrictions on Nuclear Inspections
The law, passed by Iran’s parliament last week, requires that any future IAEA inspections of Iranian nuclear sites receive approval from Tehran’s Supreme National Security Council.
“We are aware of these reports. The IAEA is awaiting further official information from Iran,” the agency said in a statement, emphasizing ongoing uncertainty about the situation.
Accusations and Escalating Tensions
Iran has accused the IAEA of bias toward Western countries and claimed the agency’s reports provide justification for Israeli airstrikes. These strikes began shortly after the IAEA board voted to declare Iran in violation of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
In a related development, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told CBS News that a recent U.S. bombing severely damaged the key Fordow nuclear facility.
What The Author Thinks
This move by Iran to suspend cooperation with the IAEA complicates diplomatic efforts to manage nuclear tensions in the region. While Tehran’s demand for more control over inspections may be driven by sovereignty concerns, it risks undermining transparency and increasing mistrust. A constructive dialogue that balances security and accountability is essential to prevent further escalation.
