Iran Halts IAEA Inspections After Strikes; U.S. Denounces ‘Unacceptable’ Move

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has formally signed a law instructing Tehran to suspend all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, ending routine inspections of its nuclear programme. The measure, backed last week by parliament and the Guardian Council, follows U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on 22 June that damaged Iran’s key facilities at Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan during a 12-day conflict that ended with a cease-fire on 25 June.

The Vienna-based IAEA said it is “aware of the reports” and is awaiting official clarification from Tehran on how the suspension will be implemented; inspectors currently in the country have not yet been ordered to leave. Analysts warn that the move could further obscure Iran’s enrichment activities, which had already reached levels of up to 60 percent—just short of weapons-grade—and erode what remains of international oversight.

Washington condemned the decision as “unacceptable”. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce urged Iran to reinstate full cooperation “without further delay” and comply with its safeguards obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Similar concern was voiced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose spokesman Stephane Dujarric called the development “obviously concerning”, while Germany’s Foreign Office said the step “eliminates any possibility of international oversight” and jeopardises diplomatic solutions.

Tehran argues that the suspension will stay in force until the security of its nuclear sites is guaranteed and the IAEA publicly condemns the recent strikes. Israel, meanwhile, is pressing European signatories of the defunct 2015 nuclear accord to trigger the agreement’s snap-back mechanism and re-impose UN sanctions. The standoff heightens uncertainty over the future of non-proliferation efforts in the Middle East and risks a new escalation if talks fail to resume.