In a move that signals deepening mistrust, Iran’s parliament is weighing a new bill that could suspend the country’s cooperation with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The announcement, shared by Ruhollah Motefakerzadeh—a senior parliament official—was reported by Iran’s state media on Monday.
The proposed bill reflects growing frustration within Iran’s leadership. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf spoke out strongly, stating, “We in the parliament are seeking to pass a bill that would suspend Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA until we receive objective guarantees of professional and impartial conduct from this international body.”
This is not merely about politics—it’s about national pride and a sense of fairness. Iranian lawmakers argue that the IAEA, which is supposed to be neutral, has acted in a biased manner and failed to live up to its responsibilities. “The world has seen that the Atomic Energy Agency has not fulfilled any of its obligations,” Qalibaf said. “It has become a political tool, not a technical one.”
Despite the tough stance, Iran insists it has no interest in developing nuclear weapons. “Tehran is not pursuing a nuclear bomb,” Qalibaf emphasized—a reminder that the tension lies more in how international scrutiny is applied than in Iran’s actual nuclear intentions.
This proposed shift in policy would be a major step. It signals a deeper divide between Iran and global powers, and a potential setback for those hoping for renewed diplomacy and nuclear transparency. For now, all eyes are on the Iranian parliament as it debates whether to formally break ties with the IAEA, a move that could reshape the future of international nuclear monitoring in the region.
