Iran has officially suspended its relationship with the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The bill regarding this decision, which was passed in Iran’s parliament (Majlis) on Wednesday, received final approval today (Thursday) from the Guardian Council, an institution under the country’s Supreme Leader.This information was reported by the Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera.Iran had been deeply dissatisfied with the IAEA ever since Israeli airstrikes began in Tehran and other cities on June 13. Tehran believes that the IAEA essentially drafted the blueprint for Israel’s attack.In 1970, Iran signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) with the IAEA. However, at that time, the current Islamist regime was not in power. The last Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, was the head of state and government at the time.By signing the NPT with the IAEA, Iran had pledged never to pursue nuclear weapons development and to cooperate with the agency.On June 6, the IAEA stated in a press release that the level of enriched uranium Iran had stockpiled could easily be used to make a nuclear bomb. Just a week after that statement, on the night of June 13, Israel launched airstrikes on Iran under the operation codenamed “The Rising Lion.” Shortly afterward, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video message, stating that the operation was launched based on the IAEA’s statement.Following the start of the Israeli airstrikes, on June 16, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said at a press briefing, “The IAEA has paved the way for Israeli attacks on Iran.”The Speaker of Iran’s parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, had earlier said, “Until we receive a guarantee of professional conduct from this international organization, cooperation must be suspended.”Subsequently, on Wednesday, the Majlis passed the bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. On Thursday, the Guardian Council approved the bill.
