Iran Halts Cooperation with the IAEA Amidst Rising Tensions
On July 3, Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, mandated that the nation pull back from cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This followed the bombing of three integral nuclear sites in Iran by the United States, while concurrently, Israel was involved in an air conflict with Iran.
The projected conversations between Iran and the IAEA are anticipated to be of a complex and technical nature. This statement was released by the Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Republic prior to an upcoming visit from the IAEA. This visit marks the debut from the nuclear monitoring organization ever since Iran severed ties with it in the previous month.
The diplomatic ties between the two entities disintegrated in the aftermath of an air conflict, lasting over 12 days, initiated by Israel and the U.S. in June. Key nuclear facilities in Iran were targeted and bombed during this period.
On the day preceding Israel’s devastation over Iran that triggered the onset of the war, the IAEA board took a stand on the 12th of June, accusing Iran of infringing its obligations towards non-proliferation.
Following the commencement of the war, no immediate statement was issued by the IAEA concerning its deputy head’s visit to Iran, nor about any planned visits to scrutinize Iranian nuclear sites.
Esmail Baghaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, informed journalists that a potential meeting with Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi could be on the cards. However, he expressed caution, stating that it was premature to forecast the results of such conversations given their technical and intricate nature.
Baghaei also articulated his criticism for the IAEA’s approach during the June war with Israel. He expressed outrage on behalf of his country, as facilities under continuous surveillance were targeted. He condemned the IAEA for lacking a measured and intelligent response, and for failing to censure these actions appropriately.
Arcaghi had previously proposed that to cooperate with the IAEA, sanction by Iran’s highest security entity – the Supreme National Security Council – would be necessary. Such collaboration will primarily be around restructuring the nature of interaction between both parties.
This particular decision stands to considerably hinder inspection officials’ capacities to monitor Tehran’s operations that were previously enriching uranium to almost weapon-grade levels.
Following the July 3 directive by President Pezeshkian to halt cooperation with the IAEA, the U.S. proceeded with bombing three primary Iranian nuclear sites. Concurrently, Israel was engaged in an air conflict with Iran. The conflict resulted in a death toll of approximately 1,100 individuals, including several military officers.
In response, Iran launched counterattacks which claimed the lives of 28 individuals in Israel.
Iran’s past engagement with the IAEA has been limited to inspections, frequently employed as a negotiation strategy with the Western powers. It remains uncertain when talks concerning a nuclear-planned deal between Tehran and Washington will restart.
U.S. intelligence committees and the IAEA have corroborated that Iran last organized a nuclear weaponry program in 2003. Nonetheless, Iran has been improving uranium enrichment methods at 60% levels – a brief, yet technical progression away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.