TEHRAN, July 3 (Alliance News): Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has given final approval to a law that suspends Iran’s cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iranian state media reported on Wednesday.
The legislation, passed by Iran’s parliament following last month’s Iran-Israel conflict, is now officially in effect.
According to state broadcaster IRIB, “Masoud Pezeshkian promulgated the law suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency,” marking a major shift in Tehran’s engagement with global nuclear oversight.
The move comes amid heightened tensions with Israel and growing frustration over what Iran sees as Western silence on Israeli attacks targeting its nuclear facilities.
The law specifies that any future inspections by the IAEA must be explicitly authorized by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council — a measure that effectively halts the agency’s automatic access to Iranian nuclear sites under existing arrangements.
Context: Fallout from Iran-Israel Conflict
The bill was proposed in the wake of an unprecedented air conflict between Iran and Israel in which both sides exchanged aerial strikes. Israel claimed its actions were aimed at disrupting Iran’s alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Iran has repeatedly denied these allegations, stating its nuclear programme remains entirely peaceful and compliant with international laws.
The recent shift in policy follows the IAEA’s June resolution accusing Iran of violating its non-proliferation obligations — a claim Tehran strongly rejects.
Iranian officials argue that the resolution not only lacked balance but also encouraged hostile military actions.
Parliament, Government Unified on Nuclear Sovereignty
Last week, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf expressed his strong disapproval of the IAEA’s response to the Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.
“The Agency refused even to condemn the attack, showing its international credibility is for sale,” Qalibaf said, according to state media.
He added that Iran would now move more swiftly in developing its civilian nuclear infrastructure, with the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) intensifying activities in research and fuel enrichment.
“Until the security of our nuclear sites is guaranteed, cooperation with the IAEA will remain suspended,” he warned. “Our nuclear programme will proceed, but strictly within peaceful and legal bounds.”
Serious Damage to Fordow Confirmed
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, speaking to CBS News, acknowledged that the Fordow nuclear facility — a central site in Iran’s nuclear programme — had sustained “serious and heavy damage” following U.S. airstrikes in April.
“No one knows exactly what has transpired in Fordow, but preliminary evaluations suggest a significant impact,” Araqchi said. “The AEOI is currently assessing the site, and a comprehensive report will be submitted to the government.”
Fordow, located near the city of Qom, has long been a focal point of Western concern due to its fortified underground structure and uranium enrichment capabilities.
Conflicting Narratives on Damage Assessment
While President Donald Trump claimed the U.S. strikes had “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities, several American intelligence sources reportedly advised caution, stating that it may take weeks to determine the full extent of the damage.
The Washington Post, citing four sources familiar with classified U.S. intelligence, reported that intercepted Iranian communications may have downplayed the level of destruction, leaving American analysts to sift through conflicting accounts.
Implications for Regional and Global Stability
Iran’s decision to suspend cooperation with the IAEA has drawn concern from nuclear non-proliferation experts and international observers, who view the move as a setback for global nuclear transparency.
The IAEA has not yet responded officially to the development, but its resolution in June had already strained relations between the agency and Tehran.
Meanwhile, Israel has reiterated its stance that Iran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons and has defended its right to pre-emptive action.
Iran, in contrast, continues to claim that Israel’s aggression was unwarranted and that its own nuclear activities remain peaceful.
Iran’s Strategic Response
By enacting the law, President Pezeshkian and the Iranian leadership appear to be sending a clear message that Tehran will not tolerate what it views as double standards by international bodies.
Iranian analysts suggest the government is taking a calibrated approach — halting cooperation temporarily while assessing damage and strategic options, without withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The move also signals domestic unity, with both parliament and the executive branch aligning on the issue of nuclear sovereignty and national security.
As tensions escalate in the region and negotiations stall, observers are warning that the situation could spiral further unless diplomatic channels are urgently revived.
Iran’s growing isolation from global nuclear oversight adds complexity to already fragile Middle Eastern dynamics.
