Iran Suspends Cooperation with IAEA

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi.

In a bold and consequential move, Iran’s Parliament (Majles) on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, passed a resolution to suspend all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog. The announcement was first made public by Sepah News, the official media wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and later shared on social media by the Embassy of Iran.

The decision came in the aftermath of a 12-day war between Iran and Israel, during which U.S. forces also attacked Iranian nuclear sites. Tehran has accused the IAEA of being complicit, or at best silent, in the face of what it calls “blatant aggression”—raising significant international alarm about the future of nuclear diplomacy in the Middle East.

Guardian Council Approval: Legal Framework for IAEA Withdrawal

The suspension of cooperation with the IAEA gained further legal standing on Thursday, when Iran’s Guardian Council—a constitutional oversight body with veto powers—ratified the legislation. According to Council spokesperson Hadi Tahan Nazif, the bill was found to be in “no contradiction with Islamic principles and the Constitution”. He stated that the measure was necessary to uphold the “national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran”, especially in light of the recent strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran’s “peaceful nuclear facilities.”

The bill is now awaiting final approval from President Masoud Pezeshkian, after which it will become binding law. As per the language of the resolution, Iran will continue to claim entitlements under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)—particularly the right to enrich uranium—while ceasing transparency with the IAEA.

The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) is a UN body responsible for monitoring the peaceful use of nuclear energy and preventing nuclear weapons proliferation.

Iran’s Diplomatic Messaging: Gratitude to India, Condemnation of the U.S. and Israel

On the same day, the Embassy of Iran in India issued a strongly worded statement expressing “heartfelt gratitude” to the people of India for their support during the war. The message acknowledged the solidarity shown by Indian citizens, political parties, members of Parliament, NGOs, religious leaders, academics, media, and social activists. Their “moral support, public statements, and peace-oriented gatherings” were described as a source of deep encouragement during what Iran called a “brutal military assault by the occupying Zionist regime.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s Ambassador to India, Iraj Elahi, openly criticised the U.S. strikes on Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz—Iran's key nuclear facilities. He condemned Washington for attacking a “non-nuclear weapon state” that remains a signatory to both the IAEA and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Elahi emphasized the “double standards” of the international community, pointing out that while Iran remains under strict inspections, Israel—believed to possess nuclear weapons—is not monitored by the IAEA.

The NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) is an international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons while allowing peaceful use of nuclear energy. Iran is a signatory; Israel is not.

Iran Accuses IAEA of Espionage; Denounces Rafael Grossi

Adding fuel to the fire, Iranian officials have accused the IAEA of failing to condemn the Israeli airstrikes on nuclear facilities and even suggested that IAEA intelligence was leaked to Tel Aviv—claims that the agency has flatly denied. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf remarked that:

“Continued cooperation with the agency, which plays a role as a protector of anti-human interests and an agent of the illegitimate Zionist regime... is not possible until the security of our nuclear facilities is ensured.”

Further, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi lashed out at IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, calling his silence on the attacks a sign of “biased stance”, and firmly dismissed reports of any resumption of nuclear negotiations with the U.S. He declared:

“No agreement, arrangement, or conversation has been made to start new negotiations… the damages were not little.”

Military Escalation and Ceasefire: Background to Iran’s Decision

Tensions reached a boiling point earlier this month when, on June 13, Israel launched a surprise bombing campaign, targeting not only Iranian military installations and nuclear infrastructure but also residential buildings, resulting in the deaths of senior IRGC commanders, nuclear scientists, and hundreds of civilians. Iran responded by launching missile barrages at Israel, killing at least 29 people and causing widespread destruction.

On Sunday, the United States joined the offensive, bombing Iran’s Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear facilities. Iran retaliated by targeting a U.S. military base in Qatar, prompting a ceasefire agreement. Both Israel and Iran declared victory, but the geopolitical landscape in the region remains volatile.

Global Reactions: Concern Over Iran’s Nuclear Transparency

The international community has responded with concern. Russia, a long-time ally of Iran, urged Tehran to continue cooperation with the IAEA. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated that Iran's Supreme Leader has consistently declared the country has no intention to develop nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul appealed to Iran “not to go down this path”, warning that suspending IAEA cooperation could destabilize international non-proliferation efforts.

Despite these appeals, Iranian officials argue that their decision is rooted in national security, particularly after managing to move stockpiles of highly enriched uranium away from known sites before the bombings—putting them out of the IAEA’s monitoring for the first time in years.

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What Comes Next?

The implications of Iran’s move to suspend cooperation with the IAEA are far-reaching. While Tehran insists it is not seeking nuclear weapons, the breakdown in transparency may accelerate its nuclear programme and deepen distrust between Iran and the West. The lack of IAEA oversight now removes a key barrier to both escalation and misunderstanding.

Whether this marks a temporary political maneuver or a long-term strategic shift will depend on evolving military, diplomatic, and internal political calculations—particularly in the lead-up to the funeral for the fallen Iranian generals and nuclear scientists, scheduled for June 28.

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