Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to abandon what he called “double standards” if the agency hopes to resume cooperation with Tehran. His remarks come after Iran enacted a new law halting collaboration with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, prompting the IAEA to withdraw its last inspectors from Iranian nuclear sites.
Tensions between Iran and the IAEA have escalated since U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in June targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, triggering a 12-day conflict during which Iran retaliated with drone and missile attacks against Israel. Tehran maintains its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes and denies pursuing nuclear weapons.
Speaking with European Council President Antonio Costa, Pezeshkian emphasized that future cooperation depends on the IAEA correcting its “biased approach” and condemning the strikes on Iran’s infrastructure. He warned, “Any repeated aggression will be met with a more decisive and regrettable response.”
Iran accuses the IAEA of undermining its neutrality by supporting Western narratives and claims the agency facilitated the attacks by issuing a resolution that accused Tehran of breaching nuclear non-proliferation obligations. President Pezeshkian also criticized the IAEA’s failure to uphold impartiality in its reports, casting doubt on its credibility.
Since the bombings, IAEA Director Rafael Grossi has prioritized restoring inspections, but access remains suspended. Iran insists any renewed engagement hinges on a fundamental shift in the agency’s stance.
The standoff threatens to deepen the diplomatic rift over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, drawing global concern over regional stability and the future of non-proliferation efforts.