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Iran pulls back: IAEA cooperation suspended; President Pezeshkian gives final nod

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Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has given his approval to legislation halting collaboration with the UN's nuclear monitoring body, according to state media's Wednesday announcement.

"Masoud Pezeshkian promulgated the law suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency ," state TV reported, as quoted by AFP, confirming that the legislation, developed following the Iran-Israel conflict last month, has taken immediate effect.

This comes after Iran’s Parliament passed a law to suspend the cooperation, which received approval from a constitutional watchdog. The parliamentary decision passed with 221 votes in favour, one abstention, and no opposition among those present in the 290-member house.



Soon after, Israel's minister for foreign affairs issued a statement criticising Iran's decision. "The time to activate the Snapback mechanism is now! I call upon the E3 countries- Germany, France and the UK to reinstate all sanctions against Iran! Iran has just issued a scandalous announcement about suspending its cooperation with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). This is a complete renunciation of all its international nuclear obligations and commitments. The international community must act decisively now and utilize all means at its disposal to stop Iranian nuclear ambitions," he said.

The implications for the IAEA, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, remain unclear.

The suspension move follows escalating hostilities that began on June 13 when Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iran’s nuclear sites and military leadership. Iran retaliated with Operation True Promise 3, conducting missile and drone attacks on Israeli positions.

The US then jumped into the conflict with Operation Midnight Hammer, striking key Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan on June 22. Iran condemned the strikes as a "savage assault" and vowed not to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Officials in Tehran had also criticised the IAEA for remaining silent throughout the military campaign.
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