Iran Halts Nuclear Inspection Agreement
Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), declared on Monday, October 20, 2025, that Iran has formally scrapped its nuclear inspection agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Speaking in Tehran during a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart, Larijani stated that future reports from IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi 'will no longer have any impact,' indicating a significant escalation in Iran's nuclear policy.
Response to Reimposed UN Sanctions
The decision by Tehran comes as a direct consequence of the reimposition of United Nations sanctions on Iran, which were triggered on September 28, 2025, by France, Britain, and Germany (E3) using the 'snapback' mechanism. Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, had previously warned that a cooperation agreement reached with the IAEA in Cairo on September 9, 2025, would be voided if UN sanctions were reinstated. This earlier agreement had aimed to resume inspections that were suspended following Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025.
Implications for International Monitoring
The termination of the agreement is expected to severely restrict the international community's ability to monitor Iran's nuclear program. While IAEA Director-General Grossi had recently indicated that most of Iran's enriched uranium, estimated at over 400 kilograms of 60% purity, remained at known facilities despite the June strikes, access to these sites has been a persistent challenge. Larijani emphasized that any future proposals from the UN nuclear watchdog for renewed cooperation would need to be reviewed by the SNSC. This move heightens concerns among international observers regarding the transparency and peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear activities, particularly as the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) expired on October 18, 2025.
Broader Context of Tensions
Iran's stance is also rooted in its criticism of the IAEA for what it perceives as a failure to condemn the June 2025 attacks on its nuclear sites. The country had suspended cooperation with the IAEA in June under a parliamentary law, citing concerns over the agency's political motivations and its inaction regarding the strikes. This latest development marks a significant setback for diplomatic efforts to manage Iran's nuclear program and underscores the deepening tensions between Tehran and Western powers.
5 Comments
anubis
They're obviously hiding something if they're kicking out inspectors. Trust is completely gone.
paracelsus
This move by Iran is incredibly reckless and dangerous. A clear path to nuclear proliferation.
anubis
Sanctions always backfire. This is a clear consequence of aggressive Western policy.
eliphas
Iran is just defending its sovereignty against hostile acts. Good for them!
anubis
The expiration of the JCPOA and reimposed sanctions undeniably put Iran in a difficult position. However, abandoning transparency measures will only lead to greater international suspicion and could trigger a dangerous arms race in the region, which no one wants.