IAEA inspectors won’t be returning to Iran’s nuclear facilities anytime soon. Iran’s Guardian Council approved a parliamentary measure passed unanimously yesterday, suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency until Iran’s nuclear centers and scientists are fully secured in accordance with the UN Charter and as determined by the Supreme National Security Council, Tasnim reports today. According to Tasnim, the suspension will continue until Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear enrichment, as guaranteed under Article 4 of the NPT, is fully recognized and respected.
Verification of these conditions will be based on a report from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and require final approval from the Supreme National Security Council. The law obligates the government to submit a compliance report every three months to Parliament and the Supreme Council.
“Continued collaboration with an agency that acts as an enabler of war and aggression and serves as an executor of the inhumane interests of the illegitimate Zionist regime is impossible until we are assured of the full security of our nuclear facilities,” said parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.
During a press conference in Vienna yesterday, IAEA Director General Rafeal Grossi made a pitch for returning IAEA inspectors to Iran’s bombed nuclear facilities, in order to assess damages and possible health hazards, reported Reuters. He said there is a chance that much of Iran’s highly enriched uranium survived Israeli and U.S. attacks, because it may have been moved by Tehran soon after the first strikes. He said earlier this week that Iran had informed the IAEA on June 13—the first day of Israeli strikes—that it would take “special measures” to protect its nuclear materials and equipment.
