Iran’s parliament passes bill to halt cooperation with UN nuclear agency

Iran’s parliament has passed a bill suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, including inspections, parliamentary spokesman Alireza Salimi said on Wednesday.

Under the legislation, IAEA inspectors will be barred from entering the country unless national nuclear security is guaranteed, and any future access will require approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Salimi said.

He added that the bill, approved in both its general and specific terms, imposes penalties on any individuals who allow agency personnel into the country without proper authorization.

The new measure applies to both safeguards-related and broader cooperation with the agency, he said. The country's Supreme National Security Council now needs to give final approval to the move.