Iran Suspends All Cooperation with IAEA Amid Tensions
Iran has suspended all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following the suspension of the Cairo agreement, which aimed to resume inspections of its nuclear facilities. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the temporary suspension, emphasizing that Iran is ready to return to the agreement if fair proposals are presented that safeguard its national interests. The move comes amid heightened tensions with Western nations, particularly Britain, France, and Germany, which recently reinstated UN sanctions on Tehran. The decision is seen as a response to the failure of recent nuclear talks and Iran’s demand for recognition of its rights prior to resuming negotiations.
The Cairo agreement, signed in September, was intended to allow the IAEA to resume inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities after Tehran suspended them following Israeli and U.S. bombing in June. However, the deal lost significance shortly after, when Britain, France, and Germany triggered the return of UN sanctions on Tehran. Araghchi also stated that, under current conditions, Tehran sees no reason to continue nuclear talks with the Europeans. Western nations have long accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran strongly denies. Iran insists its nuclear program is purely civilian and that it retains the right to enrich uranium under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968. The Trump administration’s attempt to revive nuclear talks with Iran earlier this year failed after Israeli strikes in June targeted Iranian nuclear, military, and residential sites. Tehran has since accused Washington of sabotaging diplomacy and demanded guarantees and recognition of its rights before any resumption of negotiations.
These developments highlight the ongoing geopolitical complexities surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and its interactions with international bodies like the IAEA. The suspension of cooperation with the IAEA marks a significant shift in Tehran’s approach to nuclear diplomacy, signaling a readiness to assert its national interests in the face of perceived Western aggression and sanctions.