Iran has officially suspended cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA) following US and Israeli airstrikes on its nuclear sites, escalating global concerns over nuclear transparency and regional stability. The move came after Iran’s parliament passed a law in late June, later approved by the Guardian Council and President Masoud Pezeshkian, in response to what Iran calls the IAEA’s “silence” over the attacks.
The strikes, which began on June 13 during a brief but intense 12-day war between Israel and Iran, targeted key nuclear facilities at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz. The conflict killed more than 900 people in Iran and 28 in Israel. On June 25, one day after the ceasefire, Iranian lawmakers overwhelmingly supported halting IAEA cooperation, citing the agency’s perceived bias and failure to condemn the attacks.
Iranian officials have accused IAEA chief Rafael Grossi of “deceptive actions” and claimed he helped justify the Israeli strikes by enabling what they termed “fraudulent reporting.” The ultra-conservative Kayhan newspaper even labeled Grossi an Israeli spy, stoking tensions further. Iran also rejected Grossi’s request to inspect the bombed nuclear sites, calling it an act of “malign intent.”
The suspension adds a new layer of complexity to already strained nuclear negotiations. While Iran insists it has no intention of building nuclear weapons, enrichment levels and a lack of transparency have alarmed Western nations. The IAEA resolution passed on June 12, which accused Iran of non-compliance, was seen in Tehran as a provocation and partial justification for the military escalation.
Iran’s foreign ministry said the move reflects public outrage, while critics warn it could deepen regional insecurity and hinder diplomatic resolution. Despite claims by the US that Iran’s nuclear program was “obliterated,” Iran maintains that its nuclear knowledge cannot be destroyed by bombs, indicating that the standoff is far from over.