Iran’s parliament recently passed a controversial bill authorizing suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), heightening tensions with Western powers and raising concerns over future nuclear oversight in the Middle East region.
On Wednesday, a bill approved by an overwhelming majority in Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly required it to suspend all voluntary inspections and reporting obligations under the Additional Protocol to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), until international sanctions are lifted and any military attacks against Iran’s strategic sites have been condemned by the UN.
This development comes after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes earlier this month targeted Iranian military installations, with reports suggesting possible damage to nuclear infrastructure. Tehran has denounced these attacks as illegal acts of aggression, vowing retaliatory measures as well as reviewing its strategic defense posture including nuclear policy issues.
“Given recent hostile actions by other states against Iran and inaction by the IAEA in upholding our rights, open-door inspections that compromise national security cannot longer be justified,” stated Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf during the legislative session. This bill represents an essential and lawful way to defend Iran’s sovereignty and must pass with unanimous support in parliament.
Under Iranian legislation, implementation of measures requires 30 days from Western nations unless Tehran reverses what Tehran views as unlawful sanctions and coordinated sabotage efforts.
Iran had agreed to grant IAEA inspectors access to its nuclear facilities under Iran’s 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal). But since U.S. withdrawal from this agreement under President Donald Trump and subsequent economic sanctions against it were imposed, Iran gradually reduced compliance.
The current bill codifies an even deeper rollback by restricting IAEA access to Iran’s enrichment sites, centrifuge production centers, and heavy water facilities.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, expressed alarm after Iran voted in favour of nuclear proliferation: “This vote significantly decreases our ability to verify Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, so we urge Iranian authorities to reconsider and return to a path of transparency and dialogue.”
Western powers – such as the United States, France and Germany – have strongly denounced this legislation and warned of its potential to further isolate Iran, leading to diplomatic isolation that could cause irreparable damage.
“This action by Iran is deeply regrettable and dangerous,” according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Dismantling nuclear transparency only increases suspicion, moving Iran closer towards nuclear weapons proliferation.
Iran’s leadership appears unwaveringly committed to this bill despite widespread international condemnation, framing it as a protective response against external aggression and double standards in international affairs.
Political analysts speculate that this move could be used as a pressure tactic in any future negotiations, particularly as reports circulate of backchannel talks involving European mediators.
However, suspending cooperation with the IAEA poses serious implications for global nonproliferation efforts and threatens to further destabilize an already volatile Middle East region.
As the international community scrambles to respond, these next weeks may prove crucial in determining whether diplomacy can survive or if Iran’s nuclear trajectory enters an entirely new and unpredictable phase.