IAEA chief says Iran’s cooperation with agency is a legal obligation

Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Iran’s cooperation with the agency is not optional but a legal requirement.

Speaking on French channel France 2, Grossi commented on the recent clashes triggered by Israel’s attacks on Iran. He stressed his belief in diplomatic solutions and reminded that, under international law, attacks on nuclear facilities are prohibited.

Grossi said, “Iran’s cooperation with us is not a favour. As a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it is a legal obligation for Iran.”

He noted the recent conflict caused serious damage to Iran’s nuclear sites. “Whether Iran will resume its nuclear activities depends on their decisions. Will they continue from where they left off, or reduce their activities?” Grossi added.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday that Tehran's view on the nuclear programme and the non-proliferation regime would now "witness changes, but it is not possible to say in what direction".

Iran's parliament approved a bill on Wednesday on suspending cooperation with the IAEA and stipulating that any future IAEA inspection would need approval by Iran's Supreme National Security Council. The bill still requires approval by Iran's unelected Guardian Council to become law.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf was quoted by state media as saying the IAEA "has put its international credibility up for sale" and that Iran would accelerate its civilian nuclear programme.

"This would be, of course, very regrettable," Grossi said of Iran's threat to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"I hope this is not the case. I don't think this would help anybody, starting with Iran. This would lead to isolation and all sorts of problems and, why not, perhaps, if not the unravelling a very, very, very serious erosion in the NPT structure," he said.

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