Iran Reconsiders Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog Following Attack on Facilities

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Iran has reaffirmed its reassessment of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), following sustained damage to its nuclear infrastructure in June. This ongoing review stems from a parliamentary decision dated 25 June 2025, which remains in effect as of 4 August. The reassessment reflects growing tensions after a coordinated military strike—labelled Operation Midnight Hammer—was carried out by the United States on 22–23 June 2025, targeting key nuclear sites across Iran.

Iranian officials have reiterated that any path toward negotiation would be approached seriously, with the Foreign Ministry expressing openness to continue diplomatic engagement with the European troika (France, Germany, and the United Kingdom). Previous plans to hold talks in Istanbul on 25 July 2025 were disrupted in the aftermath of the June attacks. While discussions remain a stated objective, no new date has been publicly confirmed as of 4 August.

Iran’s nuclear facilities, including the underground site at Fordo, were among those targeted in the June strikes. Initial Iranian claims that Fordo remained intact have since been challenged. Satellite imagery and expert analysis, including findings from the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), indicate substantial structural damage, casting doubt on the facility’s continued operational capacity. Analysts now believe Fordo may be operating only partially, if at all.

In a statement to state-affiliated media, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said cooperation with the IAEA had been “suspended based on a parliamentary resolution.” However, claims that an IAEA delegation is scheduled to visit Tehran remain unverified. As of this date, the agency has not publicly confirmed any plans for an immediate visit.

Speculation that Iran might retaliate by shutting down the Strait of Hormuz has also resurfaced. While previously floated as a possible measure in response to external pressure, this action has not materialised and is not considered an active threat based on current intelligence and reporting. Analysts have characterised such rhetoric as part of Iran’s historical pattern of strategic signalling during periods of heightened tension.

Tehran’s diplomatic manoeuvring continues against the backdrop of Operation Midnight Hammer, which, according to post-strike evaluations published in late June and early July by The New York Times, delayed Iran’s nuclear development by only a few months. The limited strategic effect of the operation has led to renewed scrutiny over the long-term effectiveness of military interventions in curbing nuclear ambitions.

Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is peaceful, and any talks with European nations or international bodies will be contingent on mutual respect and reciprocal commitments. The outcome of Iran’s ongoing reassessment and its impact on future diplomacy remain uncertain as regional and global actors await further clarity.