Iran has banned the IAEA from accessing its nuclear facilities following accusations of secret information gathering
The member country of the Islamic Republic Organization has decided to sever cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency after confirming that Israel obtained sensitive data regarding its nuclear sites. According to reports from Iranian media outlets, specifically Mehr agency, Iranian authorities announced that they are prohibiting IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi from accessing any of the country's nuclear facilities and will dismantle previously installed surveillance cameras. This decision was made during the funeral of high-ranking military personnel and nuclear scientists who died in recent Israeli strikes. The escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel occurred against the background of a 12-day armed conflict that ended with an interim ceasefire agreement. According to sources, Israeli forces carried out drone and air attack operations on well-guarded Iranian nuclear sites, attempting to prevent the creation of nuclear weapons. In response, Iranian forces conducted rocket strikes on Israeli cities, leading to increased regional tension and new local conflicts. Earlier, prior to this escalation, Iran had been fulfilling one of the key points of the 2015 nuclear deal by committing to open its nuclear facilities to IAEA inspection and installing high-precision surveillance cameras. This agreement was negotiated by Tehran with international partners — France, Russia, the UK, the USA, Germany, and the European Union — and provided for independent monitoring of Iran’s nuclear program to prevent the development of nuclear weapons. It is important to note that in 2018, the Donald Trump administration officially withdrew from the deal, which increased tensions and complicated diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation. In recent months, Tehran repeatedly threatened to dismantle surveillance cameras and halt cooperation with the IAEA in response to blocked access to nuclear sites. This has been yet another sign of worsening regional relations and escalating diplomatic conflicts. At the same time, yesterday Iran officially rejected US President Donald Trump’s congratulation on resuming nuclear negotiations, effectively closing avenues for a quick diplomatic solution. In response to these developments, Tehran emphasized its determination to remain uncontrolled by international inspectors and further deepen its isolation from countries seeking to avoid further escalation in the region.