Iran’s Parliament Votes to Suspend All Cooperation with UN Nuclear Watchdog.
Iran’s parliament voted on Wednesday to suspend all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), effectively ending international oversight of the country’s nuclear program without formally withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The law passed with 222 votes in favor and no opposition votes, mandating the government to completely halt cooperation with the IAEA.
The legislation prohibits the installation of IAEA monitoring cameras at nuclear facilities and bans the entry of international inspectors into the country.
The law also criminalizes providing any reports to the IAEA, with parliament establishing penalties for officials who fail to comply.
Under an attached clause, any violation of the law would be considered a crime punishable by sixth-degree discretionary punishment.
Parliament members attacked the IAEA and its Director General Rafael Grossi, saying the agency’s reports had facilitated Israeli and American military attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Ali Khezrian, a Tehran representative, accused the IAEA of “espionage” and said the agency had transferred Iranian information to Israel.
The legislation also calls for continued uranium enrichment without international monitoring.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had previously announced that Iran’s nuclear program would be pursued “with greater speed.”
The vote effectively removes Iran from the international oversight framework while stopping short of formally withdrawing from the NPT.
The decision comes after the IAEA had repeatedly warned about Iran’s reduced cooperation levels.
Iran wire