UN nuclear watchdog IAEA continues operations in Iran despite state suspension of cooperation
Following the suspension of cooperation between Tehran and the Vienna-based body, the IAEA said it was awaiting formal clarification from Iranian authorities on what the suspension will mean in practice.
'We are aware of these reports. The IAEA is awaiting further official information from Iran,' the UN nuclear watchdog said in a statement today.
On Wednesday, Iranian state media announced that President Masoud Pezeshkian had enacted the law, following its approval by parliament and the Guardian Council.
The law mandates a halt to cooperation under the safeguards agreement tied to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), unless Iran's demands—such as security assurances for its nuclear sites and scientists—are met.
The move follows a sharp escalation in Iranian criticism of the IAEA, particularly after a resolution passed by the agency's Board of Governors was cited by Tehran as paving the way for Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear facilities earlier this month.
Iranian authorities have heavily chided the UN nuclear watchdog in the aftermath of its war with Israel, calling the group politically motivated, biased, and accused it of not performing its duties with impartiality, objectivity, and neutrality.
The government and public sentiment regarding the IAEA is also heavily negative in Iran, with threats being levied against the body by clerics, even calling for the death of IAEA chief Rafael Grossi.
Iran's state-owned hardline conservative newspaper, Kayhan, accused Grossi of aiding Israeli actions against Iran last week, adding that the IAEA chief should be arrested and executed if he enters Iran.
The comments triggered swift condemnation from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. 'We condemn threats against the Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi,' the three governments said in a joint statement on Monday. They reaffirmed their full support for the agency and its mandate.
Today, a senior Iranian judicial official suggested Grossi could face trial in absentia for his alleged role in facilitating the attacks.
Deputy judiciary chief Ali Mozaffari said the case was under review by the judiciary's international affairs office and that legal teams were compiling evidence to seek damages.
He accused the IAEA chief of 'deceptive actions and falsified reports' that, in Tehran's view, laid the groundwork for foreign aggression.
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