Iran’s parliament may suspend cooperation with IAEA, demands guarantees of impartiality

Tehran: Iran's parliament is actively considering legislation that would suspend the country's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), according to multiple Iranian media reports and official statements made on Monday.
Ruhollah Motefakerzadeh, a member of the parliament’s presidium, confirmed that such a bill is under review. The move comes amid growing Iranian frustration with what it perceives as politically motivated actions by the UN atomic watchdog.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf addressed the legislature, saying: “We in the parliament are seeking to pass a bill that would suspend Iran's cooperation with the IAEA until we have objective guarantees of the professional behaviour of this international organisation.”
Qalibaf reiterated Iran’s stance that it has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons, pointing to a long-standing religious decree from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prohibiting their development. However, he criticised the IAEA, stating: “The world clearly saw that the Atomic Energy Agency has not fulfilled any of its obligations and has become a political tool.”
State media reports echoed the same sentiment, framing the possible suspension of cooperation as a response to what Tehran sees as unfair treatment and politicisation of nuclear oversight.
The latest development comes at a time of heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, with Western countries increasingly alarmed by Tehran’s uranium enrichment activities and its reduced transparency since the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal.
Qalibaf added that Iran’s demand is not for special treatment but for “tangible guarantees” that the IAEA will behave in a professional and neutral manner.
If passed, the bill could mark a significant escalation in Iran’s stance towards international nuclear monitoring, with potential ramifications for ongoing diplomatic efforts related to non-proliferation and regional security.
Published: 23 Jun 2025, 05:47 pm IST
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