Iran suspends cooperation with IAEA after sanctions reimposed
Photo: Iran suspends cooperation with IAEA (Getty Images)
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council announced that Tehran will suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) after the UN Security Council voted to keep sanctions against the country in place, according to the Iranian outlet Press TV.
On September 20, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issued a statement condemning what it called the "reckless" actions of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany regarding the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
The day before, the UN Security Council, made up of 15 members, failed to adopt a resolution that would have blocked the reimposition of UN sanctions against Iran. Tehran, in turn, accused the “European trio” of imposing illegal sanctions.
The statement noted that during Saturday’s meeting, chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian, the council discussed regional developments and what it called the "adventurism" of Israel. It added that despite the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s cooperation with the IAEA and proposals to resolve the nuclear issue, the European states’ actions had "effectively suspended the path of cooperation with the Agency."
Earlier on Saturday, Pezeshkian said Iran could overcome any reimposed sanctions and would never bow to excessive demands.
Law suspending cooperation with the IAEA
On July 2, President Masoud Pezeshkian officially signed into law a bill suspending cooperation with the IAEA, previously approved by Iran’s parliament.
Under the legislation, IAEA inspectors will no longer be allowed entry into Iran without approval from the Supreme National Security Council. Tehran is also considering a personal entry ban against IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, accusing him of "supporting the aggressive policies of the US and Israel."
Israel-Iran war context
On June 24, Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire after 12 days of fighting, during which Israel attacked heavily fortified Iranian nuclear facilities with drones and warplanes to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran retaliated with strikes on Israeli cities.
On the night of June 22, the US carried out strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Afterward, Trump and several other officials declared that Iran’s nuclear program had been destroyed.
