Iran cuts IAEA access after new bill

Iran cuts IAEA access after new bill
Iran cuts IAEA access after new bill

Iran’s parliament has approved a bill to suspend Tehran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following its politically-motivated resolution against the Islamic Republic.

The general and specific provisions of the bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA have been approved by lawmakers, said Alireza Salimi, a member of the parliament’s presiding board.

According to the parliament’s resolution, IAEA inspectors will not be permitted to enter Iran unless the security of the country's nuclear facilities and that of peaceful nuclear activities is guaranteed, which is subject to the approval of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Before voting, Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, denounced the IAEA for failing to condemn US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“The IAEA, which did not even formally condemn the attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, has put its international credibility up for sale; for this reason, the AEOI will suspend its cooperation with the Agency until the security of its nuclear facilities is guaranteed, and Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will proceed at an even faster pace,” he stated.

“With the utmost skepticism, we will not be deceived by any promise, and more prepared than ever, with our finger on the trigger, we will respond forcefully to any aggressor.”

The speaker also stressed that Israel not only failed to stop Iran’s enrichment and limit its missile program but also suffered unprecedented damage to its military infrastructure, with cities across the occupied territories becoming unsafe and the myth of the Iron Dome shattered.

The vote comes a few days after Qalibaf said the top legislative body was considering a bill to suspend Tehran’s cooperation with the UN agency.