Key facts
- Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that inspections of bombed nuclear sites are not permitted.
- Iranian lawmakers voted to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
- The decision to suspend cooperation follows recent bombings of Iranian nuclear and military sites.
- Access for the IAEA will be restricted to the Bushehr power plant and the Tehran research reactor.
- Indirect talks between the US and Iran are ongoing in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan.
- A portion of frozen Iranian assets in Qatar will be released as goods.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf announced that inspections of nuclear sites that have been bombed and damaged are "not allowed under any circumstances." He stated that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will only be granted access to two sites: the Bushehr power plant and the Tehran research reactor.
This declaration follows a vote by Iranian lawmakers to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. The bill, passed by a 221-0 vote, awaits approval from the Guardians Council and ultimately rests with the Supreme National Security Council. The suspension is a response to recent attacks on Iran's nuclear and military facilities by Israel and the United States, which occurred during a 12-day conflict that concluded with a U.S.-brokered cease-fire on June 24.
Lawmakers criticized the IAEA for not condemning the attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, accusing the watchdog of compromising its international credibility. The suspension means Iran will halt inspections, reporting, and oversight activities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Cooperation will only resume if Iran receives guarantees for the safety of its nuclear sites and scientists, and assurance of its right to enrich uranium.
In parallel, indirect technical talks between Iran and the United States are continuing in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan. These discussions are reportedly focused on the release of frozen assets and the management of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Qaribabadi indicated that part of the $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar would be made available to Tehran in the form of goods. US Vice President JD Vance commented that the talks are progressing well but warned that further Iranian nuclear program development or attacks on commercial vessels would leave the president with "a lot of options on the table."