Iran Halts Nuclear Watchdog Ties After US-Israel Strikes on Key Sites

Iran has announced it will stop working with the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), after recent airstrikes by the United States and Israel hit some of its most important nuclear sites. President Masoud Pezeshkian issued the order on Wednesday, a move that is expected to further increase tensions and reduce international oversight of Iran’s nuclear activities.

The decision was made following a new law passed by Iran’s Parliament and approved by top government bodies. The law demands that all cooperation with the IAEA be suspended until Iran receives guarantees for the safety of its nuclear sites and scientists. While the statement gave no timeline or specific details, the message was clear: Iran wants to send a strong signal to the West after the recent attacks.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to CBS News, said Iran was not completely closing the door on talks with the United States. Responding to comments by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting talks could resume soon, Araghchi said, “I don’t think negotiations will restart as quickly as that,” but added, “The doors of diplomacy will never slam shut.”

Iran has taken similar steps in the past to pressure the West during tense moments, but the timing of this move — just days after the Iran-Israel conflict and airstrikes — marks a serious turn. So far, the IAEA has not been officially asked to leave the country, and their inspectors reportedly remain on the ground. The agency said it was still waiting for a formal explanation from Iran.

Israel quickly condemned the move. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called Iran’s decision a “scandalous announcement” and accused it of breaking international promises. He urged European countries involved in the 2015 nuclear deal to bring back strict sanctions on Iran.

Iran has always said its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes like power generation, but many countries remain suspicious. Before the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was enriching uranium at dangerous levels. The deal had placed limits on Iran’s activities, but tensions rose after the U.S. pulled out of the agreement in 2018 under President Trump. Since then, Iran has been producing more enriched uranium than allowed and is now believed to have enough to build several nuclear weapons if it chose to.

The suspension of cooperation comes after major airstrikes by Israel and the U.S., which began on June 13. Iran says these attacks killed 935 people, including 38 children and 102 women. However, human rights groups outside Iran put the number of dead at over 1,190, with thousands more wounded.

On June 22, the US carried out further strikes, targeting three nuclear facilities, including the underground Fordo site. Satellite images taken recently showed cranes, trucks, and workers at the site, suggesting damage is being assessed and repairs are underway.

Also Read: Israel’s Attack on Iran to Trump’s Ceasefire Claim — What Happened and When