Iran Retracts Collaboration with IAEA Amid Aerial Assault
On the 3rd of July, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a directive for Iran to retract its collaboration with the IAEA. This action followed the bombardment of three significant Iranian nuclear facilities by American forces amid an air assault on Iran from Israel. Discussions scheduled between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency were described as ‘technical’ and ‘complex’ by the Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Republic, on the eve of a unique visit by the nuclear watchdog. This visit is the first of its kind after Tehran halted relations with the organization the previous month.
As a consequence of a fierce 12-day aerial conflict that was waged between Israel and the US in June, Iranian nuclear installations became key targets and were significantly bombarded. This conflict negatively influenced relations between Iran and the IAEA. The IAEA’s board announcement about Iran being in violation of its non-proliferation commitments came on June 12th, just a day before the Israeli airstrikes began over Iran, initiating the war.
Despite the significantity of the IAEA’s deputy head’s visit, it was clarified that the visit will not encompass any premeditated access to nuclear facilities in Iran. There was no immediate statement issued from the IAEA regarding this matter. Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, communicated the possibility of a rendezvous with Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi. However, he mentioned that the prospect of what such discussions could yield is yet uncertain as they are anticipated to be technical and complex.
Baghaei conveyed his dismay towards the IAEA’s manner during the Israel-led conflict in June, categorizing it as a ‘unique situation’. He expressed his criticism saying, ‘Amid a 24-hour surveillance, peaceful establishments within a nation became the targets of attacks. The agency decided against a sensible and balanced response and failed to censure as anticipated.’
Aragchi, in a previous statement, had outlined that any future cooperation with the agency would need formal approval from the Supreme National Security Council, Iran’s leading security body. This cooperation would be centered around establishing a fresh definition for mutual collaborations. Yet, this verdict is expected to further inhibit inspectors’ capabilities to monitor Tehran’s program, which had been concentrating on enriching uranium to degrees nearly reaching weapon-grade levels.
The directive issued by President Pezeshkian on July 3rd instructed Iran to abstain from its association with the IAEA. This came in response to the extensive bombardment of three central Iranian nuclear sites by the US. This was set against the backdrop of an ongoing air conflict with Israel, which resulted in the unfortunate deaths of almost 1,100 individuals, many of whom held military positions.
The retaliatory actions from Iran claimed 28 lives in Israel. In the prior undertakings with the West, Iran has endorsed restricted IAEA inspections as a negotiation tactic. The timeline for the resumption of dialogues concerning a nuclear program deal, between Tehran and Washington, remains unknown.
The last structured nuclear weapons program inside Iran was seemingly assessed by American intelligence agencies and the IAEA to have concluded in 2003. However, it was reported that Tehran had been busy enriching uranium up to 60%. This percentage is merely a technical step away from the critical mark required for weapons-grade enrichment – 90%.