Iran Suspends Cooperation with IAEA Following European Sanctions Move
Iran announces suspension of cooperation with the IAEA after European nations trigger UN sanctions, escalating nuclear tensions.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council announced on Saturday that the decision by Britain, France, and Germany to reimpose United Nations sanctions will "effectively suspend" Tehran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The council stated that despite the foreign ministry's efforts to collaborate with the IAEA and present plans to resolve the issue, the European countries' actions have halted the path of cooperation with the agency.
This development follows the UN Security Council's vote on Friday to reinstate previously frozen sanctions after the European governments activated the "snapback" mechanism of the 2015 nuclear agreement, citing Iran's non-compliance. The reinstated sanctions are set to take effect on September 28 unless Iran can persuade the council otherwise within the next week.
Tehran criticized the European powers' move, asserting it undermines months of engagement with the IAEA aimed at resuming monitoring and ensuring compliance with international regulations. Earlier this month, Iran and the IAEA reached an agreement in Cairo to allow inspections of Iranian nuclear sites to resume. These inspections had been suspended following Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities in June, which targeted military leaders, nuclear scientists, uranium enrichment sites, and the ballistic missile program.
Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons, stating its program is for peaceful purposes. However, it has enriched uranium to levels without peaceful application, obstructed international inspectors, and expanded its ballistic missile capabilities. Israel has alleged that Iran has recently taken steps toward weaponization.
In response to the Israeli strikes, Iran launched over 500 ballistic missiles and approximately 1,100 drones at Israel, resulting in 31 deaths and over 3,000 injuries, according to health officials. The attacks caused damage to numerous homes, universities, and a hospital, displacing over 13,000 Israelis.
The European governments have indicated they will not delay the reimposition of UN sanctions unless Iran resumes full cooperation with the IAEA and reopens nuclear talks with the United States, which have been suspended since June.