Iran has formally suspended its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), escalating tensions over its nuclear program and drawing sharp international concern. The move follows a unanimous vote in the Iranian parliament and ratification by the country’s powerful Guardian Council.
The decision comes in response to recent Israeli and U.S. strikes on multiple Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordow and Natanz. Iranian lawmakers and officials accuse the IAEA of failing to condemn the attacks, which Tehran views as violations of its sovereignty and direct threats to its national security.
Parliament and Guardian Council Approve Suspension
On June 25, Iran’s parliament overwhelmingly approved a bill to halt all cooperation with the IAEA. The legislation mandates an end to all inspections, surveillance activities, and data sharing with the UN nuclear watchdog. The bill passed with 221 votes in favor, none opposed, and one abstention.
A day later, the Guardian Council — Iran’s top constitutional authority — ratified the bill, confirming it was in line with Islamic law and the Iranian constitution. The law will now be implemented under the supervision of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
“The IAEA failed to fulfill its duty to protect Iran’s nuclear facilities,” a parliamentary statement read. “As long as our sites are under attack and no action is taken by international bodies, there will be no cooperation.”
The IAEA, based in Vienna, has yet to receive formal notification of the decision. However, agency officials have warned that Iran cannot unilaterally withdraw from obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which it remains a signatory.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi called on Iran to maintain transparency and warned that halting oversight “creates a dangerous gap in the global verification regime.”
Western governments, including those of France and Germany, have urged Tehran to reverse course. Russia, a signatory to the 2015 nuclear deal, expressed concern over the decision and called for renewed dialogue.
The parliamentary move follows a wave of coordinated airstrikes earlier this month by U.S. and Israeli forces on several Iranian nuclear facilities. According to the IAEA, the Fordow uranium enrichment site suffered “enormous damage” to its centrifuge operations.
Iranian officials allege the strikes were acts of aggression aimed at sabotaging peaceful nuclear progress. Tehran’s leadership maintains that enrichment activities are for civilian energy purposes only.
The strikes have significantly hardened Iran’s position on nuclear negotiations. Some hardline lawmakers have even called for full withdrawal from the NPT—a move that would further isolate Iran and raise alarm among global powers.
While the legislation is now law, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council will determine how and when to implement the suspension. At the same time, U.S. officials have announced preliminary outreach to Tehran next week, hoping to de-escalate the situation diplomatically.
Iran has stated it currently has no intention of returning to nuclear talks, citing a lack of trust and ongoing threats to its nuclear infrastructure.
