Iran has suspended cooperation with the IAEA after the US-Israel attacks. The move is expected to increase tensions in the Middle East and intensify global reactions.
Tehran:
On Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly directed the suspension of the country’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).The order comes a few days after Iran’s important nuclear installations were targeted in US airstrikes. Iran’s state media reported the president’s decision.
This move comes in accordance with a law passed by Iran’s parliament that mandates the suspension of such cooperation.
It has also received the approval of a constitutional monitoring body of the country. Iran’s decision is widely seen as a step that has further escalated tensions across the Middle East.
Why did Iran take this step?
On June 13, 2025, Israel carried out extensive airstrikes targeting Iran’s military and nuclear sites, including key nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordo. After this, on 22 June, the US also attacked these bases, which US President Donald Trump described as ‘completely destroying Iran’s nuclear program’.
However, according to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and US intelligence assessments, these attacks have affected Iran’s nuclear program for only a few months.
On 25 June 2025, Iran’s parliament passed a bill suspending cooperation with the IAEA by an overwhelming vote of 221-0, with one MP not voting. The bill was sent to Iran’s Guardian Council and Supreme National Security Council for final approval.
Iran stated that it would withhold cooperation with the IAEA until assurances were provided regarding the security of its nuclear facilities.
Iran’s nuclear program and IAEA’s concerns:
Iran claims that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes, such as power generation. However, the IAEA and Western countries say that Iran is enriching uranium up to 60%, which is a major step towards making nuclear weapons.
According to the IAEA, Iran has so much enriched uranium that it can make a nuclear bomb in a few weeks. By May 2024, Iran was producing uranium of 60% purity, which is much more than is needed for peaceful use.
The IAEA passed a resolution on 12 June 2025 saying that Iran has not been complying with its non-proliferation responsibilities since 2019. It warned of sending Iran to the United Nations Security Council, which could lead to further sanctions on it.
Iran criticized the resolution as “political” and “unfair,” and, in retaliation, declared the opening of a new uranium enrichment facility and the deployment of advanced centrifuges.
Iran’s stance and international reaction:
Iran says that the IAEA did not condemn the attacks by Israel and America, which has raised questions about its impartiality. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, commenting on the attacks for the first time on June 26, said, ‘We gave a befitting reply to Israel and America.’
At the same time, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi had expressed concern that Iran’s move would make nuclear inspections more difficult.This decision of Iran can increase regional and global tensions. Experts believe that this step can take Iran faster towards making nuclear weapons, as the IAEA will no longer be able to monitor its uranium reserves.
The US and Israel consider it a threat to themselves, while Russia and China have questioned the impartiality of the IAEA.