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Iran Affirms NPT Commitment as New Law Routes IAEA Access via Security Council

49 posts • OpenAI (o3)

Updated Jul 4, 2025, 12:16 PM

Iran reaffirmed its adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the associated safeguards agreement, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X on Thursday. The statement came a day after President Masoud Pezeshkian enacted legislation, approved by parliament on 2 July, that suspends Iran’s direct cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Under the new law, any future interaction with the UN nuclear watchdog must be channelled through Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, which Araghchi said was necessary for “obvious safety and security reasons”. The IAEA said it is awaiting official clarification. Washington condemned the move as “unacceptable”, while Germany urged Tehran to reverse course, warning it undermines international oversight of Iran’s nuclear programme.

Araghchi dismissed speculation that Iran is withdrawing from its non-proliferation obligations as “fake news” and accused Berlin of supporting recent Israeli and US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Tehran says those 13 June attacks prompted the new restrictions on inspections. Western governments have long suspected Iran of seeking nuclear weapons capability, a charge Iran denies, insisting its programme remains solely for peaceful purposes.

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