Iran considers suspending its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency

A member of the Iranian Parliament's Presiding Board, Ruhollah Motefaker Azad, announced on Monday, June 23, that the Parliament is considering a bill to suspend Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. This came in the wake of statements by Iranian officials criticizing the agency and accusing it of political bias.

In response, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, stated that "the Parliament seeks to pass a bill to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency until we obtain objective guarantees for the organization's professional conduct." He emphasized that "Tehran is not seeking to manufacture nuclear weapons," considering that "the world has clearly seen that the agency has not fulfilled any of its commitments and has become a political tool."

In a related context, the head of the Iranian Parliament's Foreign Policy Committee, Abbas Golroo, stated on Sunday via "X" platform that "Tehran has the legal right to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons under its Article 10," in response to the US bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities. Article 10 of the treaty stipulates that any member has "the right to withdraw if it deems exceptional events jeopardize its supreme interests."

Additionally, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, announced via "X" on Sunday his intention to hold an emergency meeting of the Agency's Board of Governors on Monday, "in light of the situation in Iran." In a swift reaction, the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization threatened to "pursue Grossi through international channels."

Iran's Student News Network quoted the organization's president, Mohammad Islami, as saying in a message to Grossi: "Iran seeks accountability for the US attacks on its nuclear facilities," holding the agency responsible for "hesitation and complicity." Islami urged Grossi to "condemn the US attack and take appropriate action," affirming that "Tehran will take the necessary legal steps."

In turn, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States of "committing a serious violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons," stating that "Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty and people in accordance with the UN Charter."