TEHRAN — Iran announced on Saturday that it will suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing European powers of violating prior agreements and aligning with Washington’s pressure tactics, according to Mehr News Agency.
The decision followed a meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian, which reviewed recent actions by the European “E3”—the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Officials said their pursuit of punitive measures, including the revival of the “snapback” mechanism, left Tehran with “no choice” but to halt cooperation.
Despite what Iranian officials described as extensive collaboration with the Agency, including proposals to resolve outstanding nuclear issues, the SNSC declared that Europe’s conduct had “suspended the path of cooperation.”
“The move is not an abandonment of diplomacy but a legitimate and defensive response,” the Council said in its statement, stressing that Iran’s commitment to the so-called Cairo Agreement with the IAEA was always conditional on goodwill from the other side.
Tehran maintains that its nuclear activities remain peaceful and within international law, while blaming European governments for failing to act independently of Washington. Officials underscored that the Foreign Ministry will continue consultations in line with the Council’s directives, but only within the framework of protecting national security and interests.
The statement also linked the shift to regional tensions, denouncing what it called “adventurism by the Zionist regime” and reaffirming Iran’s broader policy of seeking stability in the Middle East.
Iran warned that responsibility for the breakdown rests squarely with Europe, accusing the E3 of undermining trust and weakening global non-proliferation norms.
