Iran parliament votes to suspend nuclear cooperation with UN watchdog

Iran parliament votes to suspend nuclear cooperation with UN watchdog
Iranian parliament has demanded the ejection of the IAEA from nuclear sites. / bne IntelliNews: CC IRNA
By bnm Gulf bureau June 25, 2025

Iran's parliament voted overwhelmingly on June 25 to suspend all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the UN following recent strikes on the country's nuclear facilities by Israel and the United States.

The Islamic Consultative Assembly approved the suspension bill with 221 votes in favour, no votes against, one abstention and one non-voter from 223 members present during the morning session, Tasnim News Agency reported.

The legislation bans the installation of any monitoring cameras at nuclear facilities and prohibits the entry of any IAEA inspectors, including directors and officials, into the country. Iran will also cease providing reports on its nuclear activities to the Vienna-based agency.

Mahmoud Nabavian, deputy chairman of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said the bill does not constitute withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). "We remain committed to this treaty and have declared to the world that all our nuclear activities are peaceful," he told Parliament.

The legislation specifically targets IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, whom lawmakers accused of sharing Iranian nuclear information directly with Israel.

Ali Nikzad, deputy parliament speaker, said Grossi "should be ashamed" for saying one thing during visits to Iran but acting differently upon returning to the agency.

Under the new law, cooperation will remain suspended until Iran receives guarantees for the complete respect of its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and assurance of security for nuclear facilities and scientists.

In a show of support of the national nuclear programme, MPs chanted "Death to America" and "Death to Israel", as is customary. 

The government must also secure Iran's rights under Article 4 of the NPT, particularly uranium enrichment within the country.

The bill includes criminal penalties for officials who fail to implement the suspension. Violators face punishment under degree six discretionary penalties outlined in Iran's Islamic Penal Code, which can include imprisonment and fines.

Parliament member Mohammad Qasem Osmani said during the session that "our people are our nuclear energy and nuclear bomb" and praised citizens for their "absolute obedience to leadership" in defeating enemy plans.

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