Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday put into effect a law passed by parliament last month to suspend cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog IAEA, Iranian state media reported.
Earlier on June 26, Iran’s Guardian Council approved a parliamentary bill suspending Tehran’s cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, following recent hostilities with Israel and the U.S. The council, which vets legislation for compliance with Islamic law, ruled the measure constitutional, citing the need to protect national sovereignty.
Guardian Council spokesperson Hadi Tahan Nazif stated the decision was a response to attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The bill, now awaiting President Masoud Pezeshkian’s approval, asserts Iran’s right to uranium enrichment under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Iran halts installation of IAEA cameras at nuclear facilities
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called the IAEA a “protector of Zionist interests” and said cooperation would remain halted until Iran’s nuclear security is guaranteed. The IAEA, however, said it had not yet received formal notification of the suspension.
The move follows Iranian criticism of the IAEA’s silence on Israeli strikes against its nuclear sites.