Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has urged the UN nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to abandon alleged “double standards” as a condition for renewed cooperation on Iran’s nuclear programme .
Last week, Pezeshkian signed a law suspending Iran’s collaboration with the IAEA, prompting the agency to withdraw its inspectors from Iranian nuclear sites and heighten tensions .
Tensions have further escalated following joint US–Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, described by both nations as preventive actions to stop Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons a claim Iran strongly rejects, insisting its nuclear efforts are exclusively peaceful .
In a call with European Council President António Costa, Pezeshkian stressed that cooperation hinges on the IAEA ending what he calls its biased approach to Iran’s nuclear dossier . He also cautioned Western nations that any renewed aggression would be met with a significantly tougher response .
Iran accuses the IAEA of paving the way for the strikes by endorsing a resolution declaring Tehran in breach of its non-proliferation commitments an act Iran argues effectively authorised military action . Pezeshkian stated:
“The agency’s failure to uphold impartiality in its reports undermines its credibility and casts serious doubt on its neutrality” .
The strikes led to a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, involving drone and missile assaults .
IAEA inspectors remain barred from Iranian sites, despite repeated pleas from Director-General Rafael Grossi, who says restoring oversight in Iran is a top priority .
