In a dramatic escalation, Iran has banned the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, from entering the country and announced it will no longer allow surveillance cameras at its nuclear facilities.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the move on Saturday, stating the country would not compromise on its sovereignty or security. “We will not allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to install cameras at our nuclear sites,” he said on state media.
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This comes in the aftermath of a deadly 12-day conflict with Israel, during which Iranian officials claim over 600 people were killed in Israeli strikes. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks, killing 29 in Israel before a US-brokered ceasefire ended the clashes on June 24.
In response to the conflict, Iran’s parliament passed a bill suspending cooperation with the IAEA, effectively halting all transparency measures. The decision further complicates already strained relations between Tehran and the global nuclear watchdog.