Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will now take on a new form, according to Abbas Araghchi, the country’s Deputy Foreign Minister.
“From this point forward, our relationship with the Agency will follow a different path,” Araghchi said during a broadcast on Iranian state television channel IRIB. “The law passed by the Iranian parliament has clarified the boundaries of our cooperation with the IAEA—it hasn’t cut off all avenues entirely, but it has left the final decisions to the Supreme National Security Council.”
Araghchi also mentioned that at present, Iran does not see a possibility for hosting IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Tehran. “At this time, we’re simply not in a position to receive Mr. Grossi,” he stated. “The matter of allowing inspectors access to our nuclear facilities also needs to be thoroughly reviewed to ensure it aligns with the provisions of the new law passed by the Majlis (parliament).”
On June 25, Iran’s parliament approved legislation to suspend the country’s cooperation with the IAEA. The following day, the Guardian Council endorsed the bill. It now awaits the president’s signature. According to parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the move is a response to the Agency’s perceived bias in favor of Israel and its alleged role in “paving the way for war.”
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Based on materials from TASS