Iran Ends Collaboration with International Atomic Energy Agency Amid Airstrikes

On July 3, Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, commanded a cessation of the nation’s collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This directive came in the wake of the United States conducting airstrikes on three critical nuclear facilities in Iran, amidst a concurrent aerial conflict carried out by Israel against Iran.

The shifting diplomatic landscape has fostered an environment for intense negotiations between Iran and the IAEA. Officials from the Islamic Republic’s Foreign Ministry have preluded the discussions, marking the first time the nuclear soverign body has visited since Tehran severed diplomatic ties last month, as a ‘technical’ and ‘intricate’ affair.

The backdrop of this affair is a deteriorating relationship between Iran and the IAEA. The relations reached a nadir following a series of intense aerial engagements conducted by the American and Israeli forces during June. The military engagements culminated in targeted airstrikes on primary Iranian nuclear infrastructures.

Guided by this circumstance, the IAEA pronounced on June 12 that Iran had violated its obligations to the non-proliferation treaty. This assessment was made a day before Israel initiated its aerial assault over Iran, sparking a full-blown conflict. The crucial elements of these pronouncements were the striking of Iranian nuclear facilities and the ensuing war.

The body refrained from immediate comment on the impending visit by its deputy head, which conspicuously excludes any planned inspections of the Iranian nuclear sites. Cohen is one of many prominent voices urging close attention to Iran’s evolving nuclear situation and capability.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson for Iran, Esmail Baghaei, addressed the media, acknowledging the potential for a meeting with the Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi. However, he cautioned that it would be premature to forecast the outcome of such discussions, given their technical and complex nature.

Baghaei took the opportunity to chide the IAEA for what he termed its ‘peculiar circumstance’ during the June conflict with Israel. He specifically criticized the organization for its inactions when peaceful facilities under continuous surveillance were targeted. In his view, the IAEA should have condemned the action in a more decisive and thoughtful manner.

Aragchi has previously posited that any further cooperation with the IAEA will be subject to approval by Iran’s paramount security institution, the Supreme National Security Council. This cooperation will be based on establishing new protocols for mutual engagement. This approach will inevitably affect the efficacy of inspections and the ability to monitor Iran’s ongoing nuclear enrichment program.

Iran’s nuclear aspirations received a setback when President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered a halt to their cooperation with the IAEA on July 3. This came immediately after US airstrikes on three vital Iranian atomic sites, and Israel’s escalated air warfare on Iran. This conflict resulted in approximately 1,100 fatalities, including numerous military officers.

In light of these incidents, Iran carried out a series of retaliatory strikes that led to 28 casualties in Israel. The nation’s strategic use of restricted IAEA inspections as a negotiation tactic with Western nations now faces uncertainty. The timeline for the resumption of talks between Tehran and Washington over a potential nuclear deal remains unclear.

Historically, the IAEA and US intelligence agencies have concluded that Iran last maintained a structured nuclear weapons program in 2003. Despite this, there is evidence of continued uranium enrichment, peaking at 60% potency. This level is a brief, technical leeway away from the 90% considered weapons-grade.