Iran’s President Masood Poraskian.
Tehran: Iran’s President Masood Pageshkian on Wednesday allegedly ordered the country to suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This order came a few days of targeting Iran’s important nuclear installations in US air strikes. Iran’s government media reported this decision of the President. This has happened under a law passed by the Parliament of Iran, which has been said to suspend cooperation. It has also received approval of a constitutional surveillance institution of the country. It is believed that this move of Iran has further increased tension in the Middle East.
Why did Iran take this step?
On 13 June 2025, Israel launched massive air strikes on Iran’s military and nuclear bases, including major nuclear centers such as Natanj, Isfahan and Fordo. After this, on 22 June, the US also attacked these bases, which US President Donald Trump described the ‘Iran’s nuclear program completely destroying’. However, Iran’s nuclear program has been affected by Iran’s nuclear program for only a few months, according to IAEA Director General Rafael Grosie and American intelligence assault.
On 25 June 2025, the Parliament of Iran passed a bill to cooperate with IAA with a heavy 221–0 vote, in which an MP did not participate in the voting. The bill was sent to Iran’s Guardian Council and Supreme National Security Council for final approval. Iran said that until the safety of its atomic bases is guaranteed, it would not cooperate with IAEA.
This satellite image provided on June 18, 2025 shows Arak heavy water reactor building in Iran.
Iran’s nuclear program and IAEA concerns
Iran claims that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes, such as power generation. However, IAEA and Western countries say Iran is developing uranium up to 60%, which is a major step towards making nuclear weapons. According to IAEA, Iran has so much enriched uranium that it can make an atomic bomb in a few weeks. By May 2024, Iran was producing 60% purity uranium, which is more than that for peaceful use.
IAEA passed a resolution on 12 June 2025, saying that Iran has not been following its unreal responsibilities since 2019. This warned to send Iran to the United Nations Security Council, which could impose further restrictions on it. Describing the proposal as ‘political’ and ‘inappropriate’, Iran announced the opening of a new uranium enrichment center and imposing advanced centrifuge.
Iran’s stance and international response
Iran says IAEA did not condemn the attacks of Israel and America, which has raised questions on its fairness. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei commented on the attacks for the first time on 26 June, saying, “We gave a befitting reply to Israel and America.” At the same time, IAEA Director General Rafael Gersi had expressed concern that this step of Iran would make nuclear inspection more difficult.
This decision of Iran may increase regional and global stress. Experts believe that this step can take Iran rapidly towards making nuclear weapons, as IAEA will no longer be able to monitor its uranium reserves. The US and Israel consider it a threat to themselves, while Russia and China have questioned the fairness of IAEA.
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