Iran says it will suspend cooperation with UN’s nuclear watchdog

Iran’s top security institution has warned that France’s repeated rescinding of international sanctions will “effectively suspend” its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

The Supreme National Security Council issued the warning on Saturday, one day after the UNSC failed to pass a resolution to lift Iran’s sanctions permanently.

The three European countries reinstituted UN sanctions against Iran on August 28 after the three countries started a 30-day process to refute a 2015 agreement to curb its nuclear program.

Both Russia and China, both of which signed the deal, have rejected the offer to impose “snapback” sanctions.

The three European countries’ actions, known as the E3, were deemed “ill-considered,” according to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, which is led by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

It claimed that the decision undermined International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) months of work that had been aimed at resuming monitoring and ensuring compliance with international regulations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran cooperates with the [IAEA] and has made some proposals to address the nuclear issue, but the Council’s actions effectively halt cooperation with the Agency, according to the council.

The Foreign Ministry was then instructed to “continue its consultations in accordance with the Supreme National Security Council’s decisions to protect the nation’s national interests.”

Following a meeting in Cairo, Iran and IAEA came to an agreement earlier this month that would allow Iran to resume inspections of Iranian nuclear sites, including those targeted by the United States and Israel, in June.

Kazem Gharibabadi, the country’s deputy foreign minister, added that if nothing special happens in the field of diplomacy, Iran’s IRIB television will hear nothing but the most recent agreement reached with the IAEA in Cairo.

Tehran agreed to end its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed by Iran, China, Russia, the US, and the E3. However, the agreement broke down in 2018 when US President Donald Trump stepped down and unilaterally imposed sanctions.

Iran currently has more than 400 kg (882 lbs) of uranium that has been enriched to 60 percent purity, which is below the weapons grade, according to the IAEA earlier this year.

Iran insists that it has a peaceful nuclear program.

The “snapback” sanctions could go into effect as early as next Sunday as a result of the UNSC vote on Friday.

A new arms embargo against Iran, a ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing, a ban on ballistic missile activities, a punishing global asset freeze, and travel bans for Iranian citizens and entities would be among them.

If Iran resumed its nuclear inspections and engaged in discussions with the US, the E3 had previously offered to delay the snapback for up to six months.

A disobedient Pezeshkian pledged on Saturday that Iran would “overcome obstacles” that would be imposed on the nation, adding that “the ill-wishers of this territory cannot block our way” in the face of looming threats of severe sanctions.

According to Pezeshkian, Iran’s national broadcaster Press TV said, “It is totally impossible to stop those who have the will, determination, and ability to advance.”

Because we have the authority to effect change, he continued, “We have never bowed and will never bow to excessive demands.”