Iran’s Parliament has passed a resolution to suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog. The new law will only become official after it is approved by the Guardian Council, a powerful unelected body that reviews all legislation passed by Parliament.

This comes after a 12-day military conflict between Iran and Israel. During the war, Iran’s nuclear sites were targeted. Iran says it is not developing nuclear weapons, but Israel has long suspected otherwise. The resolution is seen as Iran’s response to unfair treatment by the IAEA and a failure by the agency to condemn attacks on its nuclear facilities.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Iran will now speed up its peaceful nuclear program. He accused the IAEA of ignoring recent attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites and said, “The Agency has put its international credibility up for sale.” Qalibaf added that cooperation with the IAEA will be suspended until Iran’s nuclear sites are fully secure.

IRAN SAYS INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES CANNOT BE TRUSTED

According to the new resolution, any future visits or inspections by IAEA inspectors will need approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The bill also calls for stopping surveillance camera installations, stopping inspections, and ending reports submitted to the IAEA.

Sepah News, the media arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), confirmed the resolution and called it a strong message. In a statement, they said, “The leadership of international organisations is not a responsibility that can be entrusted to a spy.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s Embassy in India thanked India for supporting Iran during its conflict with Israel. In a message, the embassy said, “We extend heartfelt gratitude to all the noble and freedom-loving people of India… including citizens, political leaders, and media who have stood by Iran in recent days.”

The embassy strongly criticised the US for its June 22 attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites. Ambassador Iraj Elahi said the strikes on Fordow, Esfahan, and Natanz were unjustified. He pointed out that Iran is a member of both the IAEA and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and yet was still attacked by a country that is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Iran’s leaders say they were unfairly treated during the recent air war. They believe international organisations, like the IAEA, should have condemned the attacks on peaceful nuclear sites. “The date must be recorded in history,” said Ambassador Elahi.

Tehran has now announced national funerals for the generals and nuclear scientists killed in the attacks. The funerals will take place on June 28.

– Ends

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