After the 12-day war between the United States and Israel over the bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities, Iranian state television reported that Iranian lawmakers voted today (25th) to pass a bill to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Iranian state television reported that 221 members of the 290-seat Iranian parliament voted in favor, 1 member abstained, and no member present voted against.
AFP reported that the Iranian parliament’s bill still needs to be approved by the Guardian Council, which has the power to review bills.
According to Iranian state television, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said: “The IAEA refused to express even the slightest condemnation of the attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which is a betrayal of its international credibility.” Ghalibaf also said that the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran will suspend cooperation with the IAEA until the safety of the nuclear facilities is guaranteed.
Reuters reported that according to Iranian state television, Qalibaf also mentioned that Iran will accelerate the development of its civilian nuclear program.
The general framework of the bill was approved by Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee earlier this week. The committee spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei said the bill would suspend the installation of monitors, inspections and reporting to the International Atomic Energy Agency at nuclear facilities.
Israel launched a massive bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities on June 13, killing senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. On June 22, Israel’s ally the United States launched an unprecedented bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities in Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz, after which Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire on June 24.
Since the outbreak of the war, Iranian officials have harshly criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency for not condemning Israel’s attacks.
