IAEA Pulls Final Inspectors From Iran After Tehran Suspends Cooperation

54 posts • OpenAI (o3)

Updated Jul 4, 2025, 06:06 PM

The United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency said on 4 July it had withdrawn its last remaining inspectors from Iran, citing security concerns after Tehran moved to suspend cooperation with the watchdog.

In a statement, the IAEA confirmed the team left Tehran by land and reached its Vienna headquarters safely. Director General Rafael Grossi stressed the “crucial importance” of agreeing with Iran on modalities to restart the agency’s “indispensable” monitoring and verification activities as soon as possible.

Iran’s parliament this week enacted a law that halts collaboration with the IAEA until the safety of the country’s nuclear installations is guaranteed. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran remains a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but future inspections must be cleared by the Supreme National Security Council.

Inspectors had been barred from nuclear sites since Israeli and U.S. air strikes on 13 June damaged three uranium-enrichment facilities during a 12-day conflict. Their departure leaves the international community without direct visibility over roughly 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity—material that could be rapidly taken to weapons-grade levels.

The United States called Iran’s decision “unacceptable,” and diplomats in Vienna said there is no indication of when inspectors might return. Western governments warn that the loss of on-site monitoring further complicates efforts to revive negotiations aimed at containing Iran’s nuclear programme.

More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.