On July 3, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian directed a halt in Iran’s collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency. This decision was in response to the United States launching airstrikes on three principal Iranian nuclear sites as Iran immersed itself in aerial conflict with Israel.
Anticipating the nuclear watchdog’s first visit since the termination of its relationship with the IAEA last month, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has expressed that forthcoming discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency would be intricate and of a technical nature.
The Iran-IAEA relationship saw a significant downturn after a twelve-day aerial conflict led by the United States and Israel against Iran in June, which resulted in the bombing of crucial Iranian nuclear establishments.
On June 12, the IAEA board denounced Iran for violating its non-proliferation commitments. This accusation preceded the Israel-led airstrikes that stirred the conflict. Following this action by Israel, a statement from the IAEA was notably absent.
Deputy Head of the IAEA was set to visit Iran, however, access to the country’s nuclear sites was not part of the agenda. Esmail Baghaei, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, suggested a potential meeting with Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi may be on the cards.
Baghaei refuted making any forecasts concerning the outcome of such ‘technical’ and ‘complex’ dialogues. At the same time, he was vocal about his disapproval regarding the IAEA’s inaction during the Israel-Iran war in June.
Baghaei condemned the lack of a clear stance by the IAEA over the targeting of peaceful Iranian facilities that were under constant surveillance during the conflict. He was particularly disappointed with the lack of commitment from the agency to publicly criticize such actions as expected.
Prior to Baghaei’s statements, Minister Aragchi voiced that the dynamic with the agency, needing approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council from now on, will be focused on re-negotiating modes of cooperation between the parties.
This policy change is likely to further hamper inspectors in their attempts to monitor Tehran’s nuclear enhancement program that had been nearly reaching weaponry grade levels.
This decision by President Masoud Pezeshkian to halt cooperation with the IAEA followed the bombing of three major Iranian nuclear sites by the United States. This operation happened simultaneously as Iran was grappling with air attacks with Israel, causing casualties close to 1,100, with the dead including a number of military high command.
Retaliatory strikes by Iran resulted in the death of 28 individuals in Israel. Iran’s policy has been to limit IAEA inspections as part of a considered tactic to exert pressure during its negotiations with Western countries.
However, how soon discussions between Tehran and Washington with the goal of reaching an agreement over its nuclear scheme will recommence, still remains unclear.
As per assessments by American intelligence agencies and the IAEA, Iran reportedly had its last structured nuclear weapons program in 2003. Contrastingly, Tehran has been enriching uranium up to 60%, merely one technical step from achieving weapon-grade levels of 90%.
The conflict and potential negotiations surrounding Iran’s nuclear program are of immense geopolitical significance. The situation has drawn international attention due to the various actors involved and the potential implications for global peace and stability.
The post Iran Severs Ties with IAEA Following US-led Airstrikes appeared first on Real News Now.
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