Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with UN Nuclear Watchdog Amid Escalated Tensions

 June 26, 2025 – Iran's parliament (Majlis) has overwhelmingly approved a bill to suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog. The decision, made on Wednesday, comes in the wake of recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and amidst a fragile ceasefire in the region.

The bill, which passed with near-unanimous support from lawmakers, stipulates that future visits and inspections by IAEA inspectors would require explicit approval from Iran's Supreme National Security Council. It also calls for halting surveillance camera installations, inspections, and reports submitted to the IAEA, effectively dismantling significant oversight mechanisms.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf vehemently criticized the IAEA during the session, accusing the agency of failing to condemn the attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and stating that it had "put its international credibility up for sale." Qalibaf asserted that Iran would accelerate its peaceful nuclear program in response and would only resume full cooperation once the security of its nuclear sites is guaranteed.

The move by the Majlis is seen as a direct response to what Iranian authorities describe as "politically-motivated" actions by the IAEA, particularly a recent resolution accusing Iran of failing to cooperate, which Tehran claims paved the way for the recent military strikes. Lawmakers reportedly chanted "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" after the vote.

While the bill still requires ratification by the Guardian Council, a powerful unelected body, its passage signals a strong intent by Iran to reduce international scrutiny over its nuclear activities. This could further complicate diplomatic efforts to manage and resolve concerns over Iran's nuclear program and may provoke strong reactions from Western powers.

Separately, Iranian parliamentarians have also approved a plan to "intensify punishment for espionage and collaborators with the Zionist regime [Israel] and hostile countries against national security and interests." This legislation aims to give security forces greater leeway in prosecuting individuals accused of intelligence activities that could favor hostile states, with penalties potentially including the death sentence. This comes as Iran has reportedly arrested over 700 people accused of collusion with the enemy in the aftermath of the recent conflict.

These developments from the Iranian assembly highlight a hardened stance following the recent conflict, signaling a potential shift towards greater self-reliance and reduced international transparency in its nuclear program, while also cracking down internally on perceived threats to national security.