Iran suspends IAEA cooperation, Araghchi blames Grossi for attacks
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Iran halts cooperation with the IAEA after attacks on nuclear sites, with Abbas Araghchi accusing Rafael Grossi of enabling political resolutions and failing to condemn US and Israeli bombings
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stands waiting to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 23, 2025 (AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced Friday that the Iranian Parliament had voted to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) until the safety and security of the country’s nuclear infrastructure can be guaranteed.
The decision follows days of mounting tension over the US and the Israeli regime's attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, which Tehran says were politically facilitated by the IAEA’s leadership. Araghchi directly blamed IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi for contributing to what he called “a sordid state of affairs.”
In a statement published on X, Araghchi accused Grossi of playing a “regrettable role in obfuscating” the fact that the IAEA had closed all past issues with Iran's nuclear program a decade ago. Instead of upholding that record, Grossi, according to Araghchi, enabled the IAEA Board of Governors to adopt a “politically-motivated resolution” against Iran.
That resolution, Araghchi said, directly set the stage for recent bombings of Iranian nuclear sites by the US and the Israeli occupation.
Iran to defend its sovereignty
Araghchi condemned Grossi’s silence in the face of these attacks, calling it a “betrayal” of his statutory responsibilities. “In an astounding betrayal of his duties, Grossi has failed to explicitly condemn such blatant violations of IAEA safeguards and its Statute,” Araghchi said.
He further criticized Grossi’s insistence on visiting bombed sites under the pretext of inspections, calling such efforts “meaningless” and “possibly even malign in intent.”
The Parliament of Iran has voted for a halt to collaboration with the IAEA until the safety and security of our nuclear activities can be guaranteed.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 27, 2025
This is a direct result of @rafaelmgrossi's regrettable role in obfuscating the fact that the Agency—a full decade ago—already…
Iran, Araghchi emphasized, reserves the right to take any measures necessary to defend its sovereignty, people, and national interests. He reiterated that cooperation with the IAEA would not resume until credible guarantees are in place to protect Iran’s nuclear facilities from further attacks.
“The IAEA and its Director-General bear full responsibility for what has transpired,” Araghchi stated, underscoring Iran’s growing distrust of the agency’s impartiality amid a broader climate of Western pressure and aggression.
Iran Guardian Council approves suspension of cooperation
Iran’s Guardian Council has ratified a parliamentary resolution mandating the suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), according to Council spokesperson Hadi Tahan Nazif.
The Iranian Parliament approved the resolution on Wednesday in light of Tehran’s increasing frustration over the IAEA’s failure to condemn recent attacks on its nuclear facilities. The decision does not signal Iran’s withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), according to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated during the session that the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization would suspend cooperation with the IAEA until the safety of Iran’s nuclear facilities is guaranteed. He criticized the agency for failing to issue even a symbolic condemnation of the attacks and emphasized that Iran would accelerate its peaceful nuclear activities while remaining highly cautious of international promises.
Alireza Salimi, a member of the Shura Council's presidential committee, clarified that under the new resolution, IAEA inspectors will be denied entry into Iran unless the security of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and peaceful nuclear operations is assured.
Tehran halts IAEA access
Iran’s Parliament announced a major shift in nuclear oversight policy on Wednesday, voting to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) unless the safety of its nuclear facilities is guaranteed. The move comes in the wake of recent Israeli-US aggression targeting key nuclear sites, which Iranian lawmakers say the IAEA failed to condemn.
Speaking during a parliamentary session, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared that Tehran would no longer cooperate with the IAEA until its nuclear facilities are fully secured. He criticized the international watchdog for remaining silent in the face of attacks on Iran’s sovereign infrastructure.
“The IAEA did not issue even a symbolic condemnation,” Ghalibaf stated, criticizing the agency’s silence in the face of blatant attacks. He warned that Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will now accelerate “at a faster pace,” with heightened vigilance against diplomatic manipulation. The top Iranian lawmaker emphasized that Tehran is more prepared than ever and will meet any future aggression with “crushing force.”
