DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — In a significant escalation of tensions, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on Wednesday the country’s decision to suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This announcement follows a series of American and Israeli airstrikes that have targeted Iran’s most vital nuclear facilities, raising concerns over the monitoring of Tehran’s uranium enrichment activities, which have approached weapons-grade levels.
The directive from Pezeshkian carried no specific timelines or detailed plans on what this suspension would entail. Furthermore, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed in a CBS News interview that while negotiations with the United States may not resume immediately, Iran remains open to diplomatic discussions.
“I don’t think negotiations will restart as quickly as that,” Araghchi stated, referring to comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting a potential return to talks as soon as this week. Despite the turmoil, he emphasized, “The doors of diplomacy will never slam shut.”
The recent decision to halt cooperation with IAEA was set in motion after Iran’s parliament passed a law mandating such actions. The bill had received the backing of Iran’s constitutional authority, the Guardian Council, reinforcing the likelihood of support from the Supreme National Security Council, chaired by Pezeshkian.
The Iranian state media conveyed Pezeshkian’s order, which outlines that the government must immediately suspend all activities with the IAEA as per the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its related Safeguards Agreement. This suspension is to remain effective until specific security requirements concerning nuclear facilities and scientists are satisfied.
Uncertainty looms over the implications of this suspension for the Vienna-based IAEA, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog known for monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities. The agency has indicated that it is waiting for official communication from Iran regarding what these changes will mean for its operations. A knowledgeable diplomat, speaking under anonymity, reported that IAEA inspectors have not yet been instructed to leave Iran following the announcement.
The move to suspend cooperation prompted an immediate response from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, calling the announcement “scandalous”. In his remarks on X, Saar condemned Iran’s decision as a complete disregard for its international nuclear obligations and commitments.
He urged European nations involved in Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal to enact the snapback clause, which would reinstate all U.N. sanctions lifted under the nuclear agreement if any party claims Tehran is out of compliance.
The context of Iran’s recent decisions is critical, particularly as Israel is widely regarded as the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East, with the IAEA lacking access to its weapon-related facilities. Nonetheless, Iran’s precautionary measures have thus far stopped short of the worst fears that experts had regarding a total withdrawal from the IAEA.
Many were concerned that Iran might decide to abandon the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty completely and accelerate its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The treaty is fundamentally designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and allows for the IAEA’s inspections to verify compliance by member states regarding their nuclear programs.
Under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was permitted to enrich uranium up to 3.67%, a level sufficient only for nuclear power generation, which is significantly lower than the 90% threshold required for weapons-grade uranium. This agreement significantly constrained Iran’s uranium stockpile and limited its centrifuge usage, with the IAEA serving as the primary overseer of compliance.
However, in 2018, President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the accord, claiming it failed to effectively address Iran’s missile programs and support of militant groups throughout the region, escalating tensions and leading to a series of confrontations both at sea and on land.
As it stands, Iran has reportedly enriched uranium up to 60%, a mere technical step from weapons-grade levels, and possesses enough enriched material to potentially build several nuclear bombs, should it decide to proceed.
Iran has consistently asserted that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes. However, Western intelligence agencies and the IAEA have raised concerns over Iran’s past organized weapons programs, which were believed to have existed until 2003. The recent escalation of military strikes by Israel, which began on June 13, has reportedly resulted in significant casualties and damage to Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities.
The Israeli airstrikes have decimated parts of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and have specifically targeted its ballistic missile arsenal. These attacks have also struck key nuclear sites, which Israel maintains brings Iran closer to developing a nuclear weapon.
Iranian officials have claimed that these assaults resulted in the deaths of 935 “Iranian citizens,” including a reported 38 children and 102 women, although critics argue that Iranian authorities often provide lower casualty figures for political reasons.
According to reports from the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group, the total number of deaths during these conflicts has reached approximately 1,190, including 436 civilians and nearly the same number of security personnel. Additionally, about 4,475 individuals have been reported wounded.
In the aftermath of the strikes on June 22, Iranian officials have been assessing damage to three nuclear facilities, including the Fordo site, which is strategically built underground about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of Tehran. Analysis of satellite imagery has indicated potential damage assessments being conducted at these locations, with visible activity including the presence of construction machinery.
As this situation continues to unfold, it raises urgent questions regarding nuclear proliferation in the region and the effectiveness of international oversight mechanisms in preventing conflict escalation.
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