Iran passed a bill on Wednesday to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a day after the UN nuclear watchdog called for the restart of inspections in Iran following a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized in a statement that resuming cooperation with the IAEA is crucial for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue diplomatically.
Grossi said that he had written to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, reiterating the importance of IAEA and Iran working together and proposing a meeting at an early date.
According to a report from Russian news agency RIA Novosti, Grossi said on June 18 that the IAEA had not found conclusive evidence of Iran pursuing a nuclear weapons program.
According to informed sources cited by CNN, the U.S. intelligence assessments reached a similar conclusion.
The Iranian parliament on Wednesday passed a bill halting cooperation with the IAEA, according to the semi-official Fars News Agency. The legislation bars IAEA inspectors from entering Iran for verification activities unless Iran's nuclear facility security and peaceful nuclear energy rights are guaranteed, and approval is granted by Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf sharply criticized the IAEA for "not issuing even a symbolic condemnation" over the attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, stressing that the organization has damaged its international credibility.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran will suspend cooperation with the IAEA until nuclear facility security is ensured, he said, while mentioning Iran's peaceful nuclear program will proceed at an accelerated pace.
Iran halts cooperation as IAEA calls for restart of nuclear inspections
Iran halts cooperation as IAEA calls for restart of nuclear inspections
