Iranian Parliament Approves Bill to Suspend Cooperation with IAEA
Tehran halts collaboration with UN nuclear watchdog amid calls for security guarantees after Israeli-American strikes
Watan-The Iranian Shura Council (Parliament) on Wednesday approved a draft law stipulating the suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran will suspend its collaboration with the IAEA “until full security of Iran’s nuclear facilities is guaranteed.”
In remarks broadcast on state television, Ghalibaf noted that Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities would now progress at a faster pace.
Ghalibaf had previously said, on June 23, that the country was working on legislation to suspend cooperation with the IAEA until tangible assurances were provided for a professional and impartial stance.
The draft law still requires approval from Iran’s Guardian Council to come into effect.
The parliament’s move comes in the wake of Iranian accusations that the IAEA helped “legitimize Israeli attacks” and “colluded” with the U.S. in its strikes on nuclear facilities, following a joint Israeli-American offensive.
On June 13, Israel, with U.S. support, launched a 12-day military assault on Iran, targeting military sites, nuclear facilities, civilian infrastructure, and assassinating senior commanders and nuclear scientists. Tehran retaliated with ballistic missiles and drone attacks on Israeli military and intelligence bases, until the U.S. announced a ceasefire between the two sides on June 24.
