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The Islamic Republic of Iran has formally suspended its cooperation with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), following the conclusion of a devastating 12-day conflict marked by Israeli and U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
The short but intense war, which erupted on June 13 and ended with a ceasefire on June 24, significantly escalated long-standing tensions between Tehran and the IAEA. Just a day after the ceasefire took effect, on June 25, Iran’s parliament overwhelmingly passed a bill mandating the suspension of cooperation with the agency.
The legislation swiftly gained approval from the Guardian Council—responsible for vetting parliamentary bills—and was subsequently ratified by President Masoud Pezeshkian.
“Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has enacted the new law that suspends our cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency,” state-run television announced on Wednesday.
Tehran’s decision to sever ties with the IAEA comes amid rising frustration over the agency’s response to what Iran described as unprovoked aggression. Iranian authorities have condemned the IAEA for remaining “silent” in the face of coordinated Israeli and U.S. airstrikes that targeted critical nuclear sites, including facilities in Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan.
Tensions were further inflamed by a resolution passed by the IAEA’s board of governors on June 12, accusing Iran of failing to meet its international nuclear obligations. Iranian officials labeled the resolution as “provocative” and one of the key pretexts used to justify the subsequent Israeli military operations.
In the wake of the attacks, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi sought permission to visit the damaged Iranian facilities. However, Tehran rejected the request, citing what it called Grossi’s “malign intent.” President Pezeshkian also publicly denounced Grossi’s conduct as “destructive.”
Although Iran has denied making any direct threats against Grossi or IAEA inspectors, the ultra-conservative Kayhan newspaper—widely viewed as aligned with the Iranian establishment—recently accused Grossi of being an Israeli spy and called for his execution.
This rhetoric prompted France, Germany, and the United Kingdom to jointly condemn what they described as “unacceptable threats” against the head of the nuclear agency.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei emphasized that the parliament’s decision to end cooperation with the IAEA reflected “the outrage and concern of the Iranian public.” He stressed that the agency’s perceived inaction in the face of attacks on Iran’s sovereignty had eroded its credibility.
The 12-day war was ignited when Israel launched a surprise aerial bombardment targeting Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists. In response, Iran retaliated with waves of drone and missile strikes against Israeli territory.
The violence quickly escalated when the United States, a staunch ally of Israel, entered the fray. On June 22, U.S. forces carried out unprecedented strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, causing widespread destruction.
According to Iranian judiciary reports, the conflict claimed the lives of over 900 people in Iran. On the other side, Iranian retaliatory strikes reportedly killed 28 individuals in Israel.
U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the American strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, though independent assessments have not confirmed the full extent of the damage. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, later acknowledged “serious” harm to the targeted facilities but maintained that Iran’s nuclear expertise remained intact.
“You cannot bomb away scientific knowledge and technological capacity,” Araghchi said in an interview with CBS Evening News.
Western powers, including Israel, have long accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian energy program—allegations Iran has consistently denied, asserting that its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful and within international norms.