Iran’s Parliament (Majles-e Shurâ-ye Eslâmi) on Tuesday has approved a bill to suspend Tehran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), amid escalating tensions over recent attacks on its nuclear facilities.
The legislation, which must still be ratified by the unelected Guardian Council to become law, would impose significant restrictions on future oversight by the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
Specifically, it mandates that any future inspections by the IAEA must first receive approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, according state-run Nour News agency.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, quoted by Iranian state media, said the bill aims to accelerate Iran’s civilian nuclear program. He criticized the IAEA for failing to formally condemn the recent attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, stating that the agency had “sold its international credibility for a pittance.”
“As long as the security of our nuclear sites is not guaranteed,” Qalibaf declared, “Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization will halt cooperation with the agency, and the pace of our peaceful nuclear activities will increase.”
Earlier this week, the bill’s general outlines were approved by the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the parliament. Committee spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei said the draft law includes measures to suspend the installation of surveillance cameras, halt routine inspections, and stop periodic reporting to the IAEA.
The move marks a further deterioration in Iran’s relations with international nuclear oversight bodies and could complicate efforts to revive broader diplomatic engagement with Western nations.
Meanwhile, Tehran announced that funeral ceremonies for senior military leaders and scholars killed in the ongoing conflict with Israel will take place this Saturday.
