A team of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has exited Iran following the country’s decision to suspend its cooperation with the organization.
This strategic withdrawal comes in the aftermath of a 12-day conflict involving Israel and the United States, and has raised concerns about the future of nuclear monitoring in the region.
In a statement shared on social media platform X on Friday, the IAEA confirmed that its personnel are returning to their headquarters in Vienna, Austria.
IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi underscored the ‘crucial importance’ of dialogue with Iran, emphasizing the need to resume monitoring and verification operations at the earliest opportunity.
Reports from Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar, who is based in Tehran, indicated uncertainty surrounding the exact number of IAEA personnel who departed the country.
The language used in official statements did not clarify whether all or only some inspectors left, though it was noted that a number may still be present in Iran.
Serdar added that the inspectors did not depart by air; instead, their exit was via land routes into Armenia, with a subsequent arrival in Vienna.
This development has ushered in a period of ‘nuclear ambiguity’ concerning Iran’s nuclear program.
The IAEA inspectors had remained in the Iranian capital amid ongoing hostilities, which escalated from June 13, following an Israeli assault on Iranian military installations that resulted in the deaths of high-ranking commanders, scientists, and civilians.
The conflict intensified with U.S. involvement, which included airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities using bunker-buster bombs.
The previous Trump administration labeled these operations as significantly hampering Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
In the wake of attacks by U.S. and Israeli forces, Iranian officials have expressed growing distrust in the IAEA, criticizing the agency for not condemning the strikes.
This sentiment was exacerbated by a resolution passed on June 12 that accused Tehran of non-compliance with nuclear obligations, just a day before the onset of the Israeli attacks.
On Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian mandated the country to halt relations with the IAEA.
The Iranian parliament had already passed a bill asserting this suspension, which received approval from the Guardian Council.
A spokesperson for the Guardian Council elaborated that the decision was reached in the interest of protecting the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran.
According to Iranian state television, the suspension will remain in effect until certain conditions are satisfied, such as ensuring the security of nuclear facilities and personnel.
On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed Grossi’s request to visit nuclear sites that had been bombed by U.S. and Israeli forces, labeling it as unnecessary and potentially malicious.
He asserted that Iran retains the right to act in defense of its national interests and sovereignty.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce issued a statement condemning Iran’s choice to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, calling it ‘unacceptable.’
Bruce urged Iran to reconsider its decision and pursue a path toward peace and prosperity, reiterating that Iran ‘cannot and will not have a nuclear weapon.’
Iran continues to assert that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, consistently denying any intention to develop nuclear weapons.
Neither U.S. intelligence assessments nor Grossi have uncovered any evidence suggesting that Tehran is moving to construct a nuclear weapon.
image source from：aljazeera
