Iran Suspends IAEA Oversight, Prompts Calls For Snapback Sanctions

Iran has formally cut ties with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), by enacting a law approved unanimously in parliament and signed by President Masoud Pezeshkian that requires all future inspections to be pre‑approved by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The move effectively ends unscheduled and independent oversight of Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The sweeping suspension follows a wave of recent Israeli and U.S. airstrikes on key nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Iranian leaders argue the IAEA failed to condemn these attacks, prompting them to sever transparency as a protective measure.

Concerns raised at home and abroad include:

• Nuclear opacity: Iran enriches uranium to near-weapons grade over 400 kg in stockpile which could fuel ten bombs, yet the IAEA may no longer monitor facilities effectively.

• International alarm: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the suspension as a “scandalous… complete renunciation of all its international nuclear obligations,” calling on the European signatories of the Iran deal (Germany, UK, France) to trigger snapback sanctions.

• Diplomatic blowback: G7 nations joined in urging Iran to reverse course or face severe new measures. Abbas Araqchi, Iran’s foreign minister, claimed diplomacy remains possible, while maintaining hardline demands.

This law marks the most serious test yet of Iran’s nuclear commitments. By denying inspectors access, Tehran removes the last international check on its explosive program as enrichment accelerates.

Israel’s demand to invoke the snapback clause is a critical response: without enforcement, Iran’s compliance obligations are hollow. And should Iran resist, the global community must follow through with forceful consequences.

The intelligence warning is clear: Iran is weaponizing uncertainty. Its stockpile, unchecked enrichment, and history of deception mean this suspension must be treated as a strategic escalation not diplomacy.

The Trump administration must work with allies to hold Tehran accountable, and ensure the IAEA and its director Rafael Grossi is protected from threats of arrest or violence. The safety of inspectors and integrity of verification is non-negotiable.

Failure to act now risks normalizing a post-transparency nuclear Iran and that is a threat no democracy should tolerate.

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