The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, has expressed deep regret over Iran’s possible withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Speaking during a joint press briefing at Austria’s Security Cabinet meeting, Grossi stated, “It would certainly be very regrettable. I hope it does not happen, and I don’t think it would benefit anyone.”
According to Turkish news agency Anadolu, Grossi warned that Iran’s move could result in greater isolation and may cause a serious crack in the global nuclear non-proliferation framework. His remarks came shortly after Iran’s Parliament voted to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), escalating tensions further.
This decision followed a recent spike in Iran-Israel hostilities, and came just a day after a US-proposed ceasefire between the two was announced. In response to questions about Iran’s growing stockpile of highly enriched uranium, Grossi emphasized that the return of IAEA inspectors to Iranian sites is now a top priority.
He acknowledged that re-establishing access to Iranian nuclear facilities will not be easy. “We need to go back, and getting inspectors back into those places is not a simple task,” he added. He also urged prompt communication between both sides to avoid further breakdowns.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf confirmed that the country’s Atomic Energy Organization will suspend cooperation with the IAEA until Iran receives clear guarantees for the protection of its nuclear sites. This latest step marks a significant deterioration in Iran’s relationship with international oversight, raising global concerns about the future of nuclear diplomacy.