Iran has declared its cooperation with the UN's nuclear watchdog "no longer relevant," signaling a significant escalation in its nuclear standoff with Western powers following the reimposition of international sanctions. The move comes after European nations triggered a "snapback" of sanctions, a decision Tehran claims has shattered the foundation of a recent inspection agreement and drastically diminished the West's role in future diplomacy.
On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi formally announced that the Cairo Agreement, a framework for cooperation signed with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in September 2025, is no longer valid. This agreement had been intended to resume inspections and monitoring at Iranian nuclear sites, which were suspended after the devastating U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities in June. Minister Araghchi stated that the activation of the snapback sanctions mechanism by Britain, France, and Germany (the E3) has created a "new situation," rendering the previous accord insufficient for continued cooperation. He emphasized that Tehran's future decisions regarding its engagement with the IAEA would be announced in due course.
This diplomatic rupture is deeply rooted in the military attacks and the subsequent triggering of sanctions. The context for Iran's decision includes the June 2025 war, a 12-day conflict that began with large-scale Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, military bases, and government infrastructure, which killed senior military officials and nuclear scientists. The United States later joined with airstrikes on key nuclear sites. In response to these attacks, Iran's parliament passed a law halting cooperation with the IAEA.
Despite this, Iran engaged in the Cairo Agreement the following September. However, the E3's decision to trigger the snapback mechanism, which led to the full reimposition of UN sanctions, was viewed by Tehran as an act of bad faith. Araghchi criticized the European countries for relying on threats and leverage, stating they have "definitely diminished their role and almost eliminated the justification for negotiations with them". He affirmed that the only viable solution is a diplomatic and negotiated one, but recent developments have made that path more difficult.
A key point of Iranian grievance is the perceived double standard of the international community. Tehran has accused the IAEA of failing in its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to condemn the Israeli and U.S. attacks on its nuclear facilities. While some Iranian lawmakers have suggested withdrawing from the NPT altogether, President Masoud Pezeshkian has maintained that Iran will remain committed to its treaty obligations.
Iran has consistently and categorically denied Western allegations that it seeks nuclear weapons, insisting its nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful civilian purposes. The country asserts that it retains the inalienable right to enrich uranium for peaceful energy production under the NPT. Araghchi reiterated that Iran has "exhausted all diplomatic avenues" and presented constructive proposals, placing the blame for the current impasse on the unreasonable demands and pressure tactics of Western nations.
While taking a firm stance, Iran has left the door open for diplomacy, though in a reconfigured form. Araghchi noted that "there is still room for diplomacy," but the form and participants of any future talks will change. He indicated that the E3 would have a "much smaller role than in the past" in future negotiations over Iran's nuclear dossier. This declaration follows the collapse of talks between Iran and the U.S. that began in April 2025, which were abandoned after the June attacks. For any resumption of negotiations, Tehran has demanded guarantees and official recognition of its rights under the NPT.