Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday signed into law a bill passed by parliament last week to suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — a move the United States has described as "unacceptable".
Tehran has accused the IAEA of siding with Western powers and providing justification for Israeli airstrikes, which began a day after the agency's board of governors passed a resolution accusing Iran of breaching its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
According to the new legislation, any future inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities by the IAEA must receive prior approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
In response, the IAEA released a statement saying it is aware of the reports and is awaiting further official clarification from Iran.
Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told CBS News that the recent U.S. strike on the Fordow nuclear facility caused “serious and extensive damage” to the site.
Commenting on the situation, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce urged Tehran to resume full cooperation with the IAEA without further delay.
"It is unacceptable that Iran has chosen to suspend cooperation with the IAEA at a time when it still has an opportunity to reverse course and pursue a path of peace and prosperity," Bruce told reporters during a regular briefing.
She noted that prior to the successful U.S. strikes, Iran had been amassing a stockpile of highly enriched uranium with no credible peaceful purpose.
Bruce stressed that Iran must fully comply with its obligations under the NPT, including by providing the IAEA with information on undeclared nuclear material and granting unrestricted access to the newly announced enrichment facility.
“It bears repeating: under the leadership of Donald Trump, we have made significant progress on this issue. Iran cannot and will not obtain a nuclear weapon. The President has said this repeatedly, as has the Secretary of State,” she concluded.
However, Tehran has always denied pursuing nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear programme is exclusively for peaceful purposes, such as energy production.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for July 3rd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United States has rescinded licensing restrictions on ethane exports to China, allowing shipments to resume after a temporary halt and signalling progress in efforts to ease recent trade tensions.
Australia has confirmed a $1.3 billion missile deal with the U.S., highlighting its defence priorities, while stopping short of committing to Washington’s 3.5% GDP spending target.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off Japan’s Tokara Islands on Wednesday, with no tsunami warning issued but residents advised to remain vigilant.
The European Commission is set to propose allowing carbon credits from other countries to count towards the EU’s 2040 climate target, according to a leaked internal document.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
Australia has finalised a AU $2 billion ($1.3 billion) purchase of U.S. made supersonic missiles, reinforcing its commitment to defence investment while stopping short of U.S. calls to adopt a higher military spending target.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a reduced 20% tariff on many Vietnamese exports, down from a previously planned 46%, in what he described as a new trade framework with Hanoi.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for July 3rd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United States has rescinded licensing restrictions on ethane exports to China, allowing shipments to resume after a temporary halt and signalling progress in efforts to ease recent trade tensions.
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