TEHRAN -- Iran on Wednesday formally suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency for facilitating U.S. and Israeli attacks on its nuclear facilities.
President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered all administrative organizations to implement a parliamentary directive to halt cooperation, Tasnim news agency reported.
The Iranian parliament voted June 25 to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, one day after the conclusion of a 12-day Israeli military aggression targeting Iranian sites. The decision was approved by the Supreme National Security Council and Constitutional Council.
In a CBS interview, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged serious damage to the Fordow nuclear facility. “No one exactly knows what has transpired in Fordow. That being said, what we know so far is that the facilities have been seriously and heavily damaged,” he said.
Government spokeswoman Fatima Mohajerani also confirmed significant damage to Iran’s nuclear sites resulting from the attacks.
The Israeli aggression began shortly after the IAEA Board passed a resolution accusing Tehran of noncompliance with its nuclear obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The resolution was based on a political report by IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in May.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said last month the IAEA report helped pave the way for the June 13 Israeli strikes.
Tehran recently rejected Grossi’s request to visit damaged nuclear sites.
Foreign Minister Araghchi criticized Grossi’s insistence on visiting the sites as “meaningless and possibly even malign in intent.” The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran has suggested it may pursue legal action against Grossi. The IAEA chief has been barred from entering Iran.
According to the Iranian parliament’s bill, IAEA inspectors will not be permitted to enter Iran unless the security of the country’s nuclear facilities and that of peaceful nuclear activities is guaranteed, which is subject to the approval of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
In an unprovoked act of aggression on June 13, Israel targeted Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists who had previously been placed on sanctions lists based on IAEA reports as well as civilians.
On June 22, the U.S. bombed Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan nuclear sites in violation of the United Nations Charter, international law and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Grossi failed to condemn the aggressions, drawing criticisms from Iranian officials.