The Iranian parliament, the Majlis, has passed a law—also approved by the Guardian Council—mandating the government to halt all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Some members of the Majlis expressed extreme positions, including direct threats against IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, and called for his prosecution. The hardline newspaper Kayhan, which is closely affiliated with Iran’s Supreme Leader, went so far as to declare that if Grossi arrives in Iran, he should be prosecuted and executed.
In response, Grossi emphasized the critical importance of his team’s access to Iranian facilities to conduct essential inspections, particularly regarding the monitoring of enriched uranium. It is important to note that Iran has not - neither in the Majlis legislation nor otherwise - announced any withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Iranian officials have clarified that should Iran choose to return to dialogue with the IAEA in the future, it would demand the dismissal of the Director General. In other words, the option for renewed cooperation with the agency remains open.
Since the beginning of the war, and even more so after its conclusion, Tehran has intensified its criticism of the IAEA's role. The Iranians claim that the agency’s report published in May—which was used by the IAEA Board of Governors to declare Iran non-compliant with its NPT obligations—served as the main trigger for Israel’s decision to attack. Iran has also accused IAEA inspectors of spying on its nuclear program and transferring precise information about Iranian sites to Israel.
The current confrontation with the IAEA serves Iran as a means to prevent any oversight or accurate documentation of the damage inflicted on its nuclear facilities. Recently released satellite imagery suggests renewed activity around the Fordow site. It is likely that during this period, in addition to assessing the damage, Iran will attempt to secure any remaining enriched uranium from the targeted sites.
At this stage, it is unclear whether or when negotiations with the United States - offered to Iran by President Trump - will resume. Should talks recommence, the IAEA will play a central role. This ongoing crisis adds another layer of complexity to the many challenges already obstructing meaningful progress toward an agreement.
The Iranian parliament, the Majlis, has passed a law—also approved by the Guardian Council—mandating the government to halt all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Some members of the Majlis expressed extreme positions, including direct threats against IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, and called for his prosecution. The hardline newspaper Kayhan, which is closely affiliated with Iran’s Supreme Leader, went so far as to declare that if Grossi arrives in Iran, he should be prosecuted and executed.
In response, Grossi emphasized the critical importance of his team’s access to Iranian facilities to conduct essential inspections, particularly regarding the monitoring of enriched uranium. It is important to note that Iran has not - neither in the Majlis legislation nor otherwise - announced any withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Iranian officials have clarified that should Iran choose to return to dialogue with the IAEA in the future, it would demand the dismissal of the Director General. In other words, the option for renewed cooperation with the agency remains open.
Since the beginning of the war, and even more so after its conclusion, Tehran has intensified its criticism of the IAEA's role. The Iranians claim that the agency’s report published in May—which was used by the IAEA Board of Governors to declare Iran non-compliant with its NPT obligations—served as the main trigger for Israel’s decision to attack. Iran has also accused IAEA inspectors of spying on its nuclear program and transferring precise information about Iranian sites to Israel.
The current confrontation with the IAEA serves Iran as a means to prevent any oversight or accurate documentation of the damage inflicted on its nuclear facilities. Recently released satellite imagery suggests renewed activity around the Fordow site. It is likely that during this period, in addition to assessing the damage, Iran will attempt to secure any remaining enriched uranium from the targeted sites.
At this stage, it is unclear whether or when negotiations with the United States - offered to Iran by President Trump - will resume. Should talks recommence, the IAEA will play a central role. This ongoing crisis adds another layer of complexity to the many challenges already obstructing meaningful progress toward an agreement.