Iran States It ‘Cannot Entirely’ Sever Ties with UN Nuclear Watchdog

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, declared on Wednesday that Tehran “cannot completely cut cooperation” with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), though he emphasised that the decision to allow inspectors back into the country lies with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

This statement comes almost two months after Iran halted cooperation with the IAEA in response to its perceived inaction over Israeli and US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear installations during the 12-day war with Israel in June.

Reasons for Suspension of Cooperation

• Iran accused the IAEA of failing to condemn Israeli and US strikes targeting nuclear facilities.
• Following a new parliamentary law, IAEA inspectors were ordered to leave the country.
• Cooperation is now subject to approval by Iran’s top security body.

Araghchi underscored that Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant requires new fuel rods to be installed in the coming weeks. This procedure cannot proceed without IAEA inspectors present, which keeps the door open for limited cooperation.

“Under the law passed by parliament, the return of inspectors will be possible through a decision of the Supreme National Security Council,” he told IRNA, Iran’s state news agency.

Timeline of Key Events

Diplomatic Fallout

• The June conflict derailed negotiations between Iran and the US over reviving a nuclear deal to replace the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), abandoned by former US President Donald Trump in 2018.
• Britain, France, and Germany have recently warned they may trigger the snapback mechanism, reinstating UN sanctions lifted under the 2015 deal, if Iran refuses to reach an agreement on uranium enrichment and cooperation with the IAEA.
• Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi earlier confirmed that Tehran and the IAEA had agreed to continue ongoing consultations, signalling that diplomacy remains in motion despite tensions.