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.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran e...
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country&rsquo...
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has approved a new programme aimed at develop...
Kazakhstan has evacuated 8,585 citizens from Middle Eastern countries as regional tensions escalate. Authorities a...
The United States has designated Afghanistan a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention”, accusing the ...
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has approved a new programme aimed at developing educational courses and training sessions for young parents.
The United States has designated Afghanistan a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention”, accusing the Taliban of holding American citizens to gain political concessions and demanding the immediate release of detained Americans.
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a hardline cleric with strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise signals continuity in Tehran's anti-Western policies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
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