Tehran (Iran) – In a landmark decision, Iran parliament has voted overwhelmingly to suspend all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The move follows 12 days of joint US-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran’s key nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Out of 223 lawmakers, 221 voted in favor, with one abstention and one opposing vote. The proposal halts inspections, removes surveillance cameras, and suspends all reporting under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) safeguards.
The law now awaits approval from the Guardian Council, Iran’s constitutional watchdog.
IAEA Accused of Collusion, Credibility in Question
Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf criticized the IAEA, calling it a “political tool.” He accused the agency of failing to protect Iran’s sovereignty and even hinted at collusion with Israeli intelligence agency Mossad.
“Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will continue at a faster pace,” Ghalibaf told parliament. “The IAEA compromised its credibility by not condemning the attacks.”
Iranian MPs reportedly shouted anti-US and anti-Israel slogans after the vote.
Airstrikes Spark Strategic Shift
The decision comes after Iran suffered severe damage to nuclear infrastructure. For the first time, an Iranian official, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, acknowledged the extent of destruction.
US intelligence estimates suggest Iran’s program has been set back by only a few months, despite President Donald Trump claiming it had been “obliterated.”
The status of 400kg of highly enriched uranium remains unknown. Iran claims it had relocated the stockpile before the strikes.
No Date for US-Iran Talks
Diplomatic talks between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi remain in limbo. The sixth round of talks, scheduled for June 15, was canceled by Iran after the initial airstrikes.
Witkoff confirmed indirect contacts are ongoing, but no formal meeting has been announced. Trump hinted a possible meeting “next week,” though details remain unclear.
Global Reactions and Warnings
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed concern and urged Iran to return to diplomacy. “Ending cooperation would lead to further isolation,” he warned from Vienna.
Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, criticized the IAEA’s lost credibility and called Iran’s move “deeply concerning.” He warned the chances of reviving a nuclear deal have “receded significantly.”
Iran Considers Quitting NPT
There is now growing internal debate about Iran potentially leaving the NPT entirely. Former MP Akbar A’lami questioned the treaty’s value, stating it had failed to protect Iran from military and economic threats.
Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref reinforced a hardened stance: “We won’t bargain over enrichment anymore. The enemy is facing a new Iran.”
Critics Warn Against Triumphalism
Despite claims of national unity, critics urge caution. Former President Hassan Rouhani emphasized the need for “rationality and strategic depth,” not war rhetoric.
Some experts blame Russia’s failure to deliver Sukhoi-35 jets and regional instability—especially from Afghan and Kurdish refugee influxes—for weakening Iran’s defenses.
Ceasefire Holds—For Now
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran has taken effect. However, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned war could resume if Iran restarts sensitive nuclear work.
Meanwhile, Iranian insiders remain defiant. “What’s the point of IAEA cooperation if we’re being bombed?” said one official. “This nonsense has to stop.”
Iran’s suspension of IAEA cooperation marks a turning point in nuclear diplomacy. With the fate of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile unclear and diplomatic channels strained, regional and global tensions are set to rise.
The coming weeks may decide whether Iran continues along a path of nuclear ambiguity or faces renewed sanctions and deeper isolation.
Iran Parliament: Majles Shoraye Eslami (Islamic Parliament of Iran)
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https://parliamentjournal.com/2025/06/23/iranian-parliament-votes-to-close-strait-of-hormuz-amid-us-aggression/