Kremlin Blames US, Israel Aggression for Iran's IAEA Withdrawal
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Kremlin condemned the United States and Israel for triggering Iran’s suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), calling the move a direct response to hostile aggression against the Islamic Republic.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that Iran’s decision to halt cooperation with the IAEA “cannot but cause concern,” attributing it to the “unprovoked attack” on Iran by the US and the Israeli regime.
Peskov emphasized that Moscow is monitoring the situation closely and remains in contact with its partners regarding developments around Iran.
He stressed that the credibility of the IAEA had been severely damaged due to the unprecedented assaults on Iran’s peaceful nuclear infrastructure.
The Iranian Parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill mandating the suspension of cooperation with the IAEA.
Out of 223 lawmakers present, 221 voted in favor, with one abstention and no opposing votes.
According to lawmakers, the bill does not represent a withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), but rather a halt to surveillance and reporting activities by the IAEA inside Iran.
Seyed Mahmoud Nabavian, Vice Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, stated that under the new law, no IAEA cameras or inspectors—including its Director General Rafael Grossi—will be allowed access to Iranian facilities.
He accused the agency of leaking confidential information directly to the Israeli regime and declared that henceforth, no data would be provided to the agency.
“Grossi should be ashamed of his duplicity,” said Deputy Speaker Ali Nikzad. “He speaks one way in Tehran and another back in Vienna. He has lied and discredited himself globally.”
The bill explicitly links the suspension to the violation of Iran’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity by US and Israeli forces targeting peaceful nuclear sites.
Under Article 60 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, the Iranian government is now obligated to suspend all cooperation with the IAEA until two conditions are met:
- Full assurance of Iranian sovereignty and protection of its nuclear scientists and facilities, as determined by the Supreme National Security Council.
- Recognition of Iran’s full rights under Article 4 of the NPT to conduct uranium enrichment and nuclear development within its borders.
An additional clause mandates criminal penalties for any officials who fail to implement the law.
Such individuals would face prosecution under Article 19 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, receiving Level 6 punitive sentences.
MP Mohammad Qasem Osmani declared during the session, “Our nuclear power is not in weapons—it is in our people. They stood firm, obeyed the Leader, and broke every enemy plot.”
The legislative action comes in response to recent joint attacks by the US and Israel targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Iranian lawmakers view the IAEA’s silence as complicity, accusing the agency of acting as a proxy for Western and Zionist interests.
