Nuclear Talks
- By RFE/RL
Iran Says It Will Continue Discussions With European Powers After 'Frank' Talks
Iran says it has agreed with European diplomats to continue discussions on Tehran’s nuclear program after “serious, frank, and detailed” talks -- the first since the bombardment of Iranian nuclear and military sites by Israel and the United States -- during a meeting in Istanbul.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the discussions on July 25, which lasted around four hours, were held with his counterparts from Britain, France, and Germany (E3) as well as the European Union.
He wrote on X shortly after the meeting that the Iranians “seriously” criticized the Europeans for their position on the 12-day conflict with Israel last month.
“Both sides came to the meeting with specific ideas, the various aspects of which were examined. It was agreed that consultations on this matter will continue,” Gharibabadi wrote.
He added that the Europeans were informed of “our principled positions,” including on the E3’s threat to initiate the return of UN sanctions against Iran.
The E3 nations have warned that if a nuclear deal with Iran is not reached by the end of August, they will reinstate all UN sanctions against Iran by activating a so-called “snapback” mechanism of the 2015 nuclear deal.
Under the agreement -- the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- longstanding UN restrictions on arms sales, banking, and nuclear‑related technology were lifted ten years ago.
European governments still have the option to trigger the deal’s “snapback” mechanism before the October 15 deadline -- a step that would reinstate those sanctions and give them a narrow but meaningful source of leverage in ongoing negotiations.
European delegates at the July 25 meeting did not comment immediately on the talks.
A European source told RFE/RL last week that the E3 have offered to extend the deadline once, and only if there is meaningful progress in talks between Tehran and Washington.
Iran would also need to reconsider its move to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) -- a decision made in the wake of US and Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities last month.
Iran and the United States were scheduled to hold a new round of talks on June 15, but the meeting was scrapped due to the war. The two sides have yet to agree to meet, with Tehran saying it cannot trust Washington and the White House questioning whether there is any merit in further talks given the damage caused to Iran’s nuclear sites.
- By Kian Sharifi
Iran Tells Europeans To Abandon ‘Worn Out’ Threats Amid Nuclear Sanctions Debate
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has called on European powers to halt threats against Tehran, including warnings about reinstating UN sanctions.
Tehran's top diplomat wrote on X on July 18 that he told his British, French, and German counterparts, as well as the EU foreign policy chief, during a joint call that Europe “should act responsibly” and abandon “worn-out policies of threat and pressure.”
He said the EU and the European trio, the so-called E3, have “no moral or legal ground” to trigger the “snapback” of UN sanctions.
On July 15, French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noel Barrot told fellow EU ministers that the E3 is prepared to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran unless Tehran offers a “firm, tangible and verifiable commitment.”
The Europeans reiterated the same stance during the call with Araqchi, according to a French diplomatic source cited by Reuters, who said Iran was pushed to reach a "verifiable and lasting" deal with the United States.
Under the 2015 nuclear agreement -- the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- long‑standing UN restrictions on arms sales, banking, and nuclear‑related technology were lifted a decade ago.
European governments can still invoke the deal’s “snapback” mechanism before an October 15 deadline, a step that would restore those sanctions and give them a narrow but significant source of leverage in current negotiations.
Iran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the wake of the US and Israeli bombing of its nuclear sites last month.
The European are pressing for UN nuclear inspectors to resume work in Iran, aiming in part to prevent Tehran from reorganizing its nuclear program after the damage caused by the strikes.
Under the 2015 nuclear deal, China and Russia -- longtime supporters of Iran in such negotiations -- cannot veto a snapback of sanctions. Although the formal window to trigger the mechanism closes in October, European governments could opt to postpone the move beyond that deadline to keep the door open for further talks.
Iranian and US negotiators were scheduled to meet in Oslo last week but the meeting was postponed, with apparently no new date agreed upon.
"Any new round of talks is only possible when the other side is ready for a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial nuclear deal," Araqchi wrote on X.
Speaking at a press briefing this week, US President Donald Trump said that while Iran is eager to engage in talks, he is in "no rush" to do so, noting that “we obliterated their sites” in the June 22 strikes on nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz.
- By Kian Sharifi
Nuclear Diplomacy On The Brink As Europe Pushes Iran With UN Sanctions Threat
European patience with Iran is running out as nuclear talks stall, with Paris warning that UN sanctions could return unless Tehran offers verifiable commitments.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on July 15 told his EU counterparts that Paris and its partners in Berlin and London will snap back UN sanctions against Iran if there is no “firm, tangible and verifiable commitment” from Tehran.
UN embargos on arms, banks, and nuclear equipment were lifted a decade ago under the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
This "snapback mechanism" can be triggered before an October 15 deadline, giving Europe limited but critical leverage in ongoing talks.
Ali Vaez, the director of the Iran program at the International Crisis Group, says the E3’s “ultimatum is very serious.”
He told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda that the West is becoming increasingly more confident that the mechanism is “leverage that should not be lost” in order to compel Iran to, at the very least, allow international inspectors to visit its nuclear sites and, at most, strike a deal with the United States.
The European trio, also known as the E3, are pushing for the UN’s nuclear inspection team to return to Iran, partly to stop Tehran from attempting to reshape its nuclear program after the damage inflicted by US and Israeli strikes in June.
Under the terms of the 2015 accord, China and Russia, which have traditionally backed Iran in nuclear talks, do not have the power to block a sanctions snapback. While the expiration window to reapply the sanctions closes in October, the Europeans can choose to delay the snapback beyond the expiry date in order to allow more time for further negotiations.
Iran has been warning for months against the re-imposition of UN sanctions, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi telling Le Monde last week that it would have “the same effect as a military attack.”
“From our perspective, such a move would mark the end of France and Europe's role in the issue of Iran's peaceful nuclear program,” he said.
US In ‘No Rush’ For A Deal
While the Europeans warn that the window to reach an agreement is closing, US President Donald Trump has downplayed the urgency for a new deal.
At a press briefing this week, he told reporters, “[The Iranians] would like to talk. I’m in no rush to talk because we obliterated their sites,” referring to the June 22 strikes on nuclear facilities in Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz.
Trump claims the extensive damage from US and Israeli strikes has given Washington the upper hand, insisting any talks would happen strictly on American terms and reiterating his “no nuclear weapon for Iran” red line.
Since the Israel-Iran war came to a halt following a US-brokered cease-fire on June 24, Trump has sent mixed messages about diplomacy with Tehran. His comments have ranged from there being no need for an agreement given the state of Iran’s nuclear program to speaking about reaching a “permanent deal” with Iran.
Iranian and US negotiators were scheduled to meet in Oslo last week but the meeting was postponed, with apparently no new date agreed upon.
Snapback? Bring It On -- Or Don’t
Media reaction to the potential re-imposition of UN sanctions has been mixed. Some have escalated the rhetoric by questioning the rationale, while others have raised the alarm about the potential fallout.
Conservative outlets in particular have been dismissive of the impact of sanctions.
Khorasan newspaper described the triggering of the snapback mechanism as “European self-sabotage,” arguing that it would further consolidate the E3’s status as a biased party.
“The threat of snapback is less a sign of Europe’s resolve than it is an admission of their political failure to play an independent and effective role on the international stage,” it said.
The conservative Jahan News website made a similar argument, claiming that because European nations don’t act as a monolith and each pursue different levels of relations with Iran, reapplying UN sanctions would “exacerbate internal divisions” in the bloc.
But more moderate outlets highlight the economic and political repercussions of being subjected to UN sanctions again.
Hammihan newspaper said the sanctions would “undermine Iran’s international credibility” and would legitimize US sanctions against Tehran, which the Islamic Republic have long insisted are illegal.
It argued that because Iran has been under US economic sanctions since 2018, UN sanctions would be “far more limited than in the past.” It added, however, that there would be a psychological impact on society which would, in turn, affect the value of the national currency.
Shargh newspaper also warned against downplaying the impact of the sanctions, saying, “The snapback mechanism is not only an economic threat but also a form of modern hybrid warfare against Iran that could affect national security and regional stability.”
With reporting by Reza Jamali of RFE/RL's Radio Farda
- By Kian Sharifi
Iran-US Nuclear Talks Set To Resume For First Time Since 12-Day War Amid Deep Mistrust
The United States and Iran are poised to return to the negotiating table at a moment when tensions between the two are high and trust is low.
The talks were initially planned for July 10 in Oslo, according to RFE/RL’s sources, who now say the meeting has been postponed -- likely to next week.
Whenever they take place, the talks will mark a potential restart of nuclear diplomacy between the longtime adversaries just weeks after joint Israeli-US air strikes targeted Iranian nuclear sites.
Israel launched its attack on Iran on June 13, just two days before Tehran and Washington were scheduled to hold a sixth round of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
US President Donald Trump then authorized joining Israel in striking Iranian nuclear facilities. Afterward, Washington brokered a cease-fire agreement to put a halt to the hostilities.
In a July 8 opinion article for the Financial Times, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi questioned how Tehran could “trust further engagement” after witnessing “our good will reciprocated with an attack by two nuclear-armed militaries.”
While Trump has spoken about reaching a “permanent deal” with Iran, he has not outlined what such an agreement would involve.
But his latest moves suggest a shift from short-term crisis management to a broader strategy -- one aimed at securing a deal that addresses Iran’s nuclear program, regional influence, and the Middle East’s wider security architecture.
Iran has insisted -- even after the 12-day war with Israel -- that it remains committed to diplomacy, though it has asked for assurances that any deal will prevent Israel from launching further attacks.
Since the cease-fire went into force on June 24, Trump has sent mixed signals about whether pursuing a deal with Iran is still worthwhile, given the current state of its nuclear program.
The US president claims the strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran has acknowledged that the sites have suffered extensive damage but has vowed to press on with its nuclear program and, crucially, uranium enrichment.
Iran may have lost leverage after the strikes, but it still holds some cards.
Before the strikes, Iran had amassed over 400 kg of uranium enriched to 60 percent -- a short step from weapons-grade -- and reportedly moved some of it to undisclosed locations.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it does not know the whereabouts of all this material.
Iran, meanwhile, has suspended cooperation with inspectors and suggested that information shared by the UN nuclear watchdog may have enabled the strikes -- raising concerns it could be edging toward a full withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
But Trump has warned that he will order another bombing campaign if Iran resumes high-level uranium enrichment.
Still, Tehran and Washington insist they want diplomacy, but Iran arguably needs a deal more than the United States. In the absence of an agreement, not only will the threat of further military action remain, but Iran will also risk being hit by UN sanctions that European powers have threatened to reimpose.
Whether the upcoming talks in Oslo yield real progress or simply buy time, one thing is clear: the road back to diplomacy runs through a minefield of mistrust, missed chances, and mutual threats. Both sides are still talking -- but the ever-closing window for a deal may finally be closing for real.
- By Kian Sharifi
Trump Says Iran Talks Scheduled As He Meets Netanyahu At White House
President Donald Trump hosted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a private White House dinner on July 7 as the Israeli leader began a visit to Washington where he will meet US officials on the conflict in Gaza and Trump's diplomatic efforts with Iran in the wake of the US bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites.
Trump, who spoke with reporters as he, Netanyahu, and other US and Israeli officials gathered for the dinner, said he has agreed to an Iranian request to meet with US officials.
“We have scheduled Iran talks, and...They want to talk,” Trump said.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff, who attended the dinner with Trump and Netanyahu, said the meeting would take place soon, perhaps in a week. Netanyahu met earlier with Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
He plans to visit the US Capitol on July 8 to see congressional leaders, as well as Vice President JD Vance.
Trump said he is looking for a "permanent deal" with Iran and said he would like to lift US sanctions on the country at some point.
Trump also voiced confidence that Hamas was willing to end the conflict with Israel, saying he thinks "things are going along very well" in response to a question about what was preventing a peace deal for Gaza.
Netanyahu said the United States and Israel were working with other countries that would give Palestinians a "better future," suggesting that the residents of Gaza could move to neighboring nations.
Trump and Netanyahu met while Israeli officials held indirect negotiations with Hamas, which is backed by Iran, aimed at securing a US-brokered Gaza cease-fire and hostage-release deal.
Last month, the United States joined Israel in bombing three key Iranian nuclear sites, which Trump claims were “obliterated.” Tehran acknowledges the strikes caused significant damage, but it has vowed to press on with its nuclear program, especially its enrichment activities.
The Trump-Netanyahu meeting is seen as a victory lap for both leaders after what they describe as a significant setback for Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Netanyahu even said he has nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for promoting peace efforts in multiple regions.
Israel launched its attack on Iran on June 13, just two days before Tehran and Washington were scheduled to hold a sixth round of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump brokered a cease-fire shortly after joining Israel in bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities. While Trump has sent mixed signals about whether there is any point in striking a deal with Iran now given the state of its nuclear program. Sources told RFE/RL that a new round of talks will be held in Oslo, Norway, on July 10.
Trump has not elaborated on what a permanent deal might entail, but it suggests a shift from crisis management to a longer-term strategy: securing a comprehensive agreement that addresses Iran’s nuclear ambitions, regional activities, and the broader security architecture of the Middle East.
Iran has not publicly commented on whether a new round of talks will be held, but Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian told US media personality Tucker Carlson that his country can “very easily resolve differences” with the United States through diplomacy.
He also accused Netanyahu of “torpedoing” diplomacy by launching strikes on Iran “in the middle of talks with the United States.”
Pezeshkian said there was a lack of trust in Washington and that Tehran needs assurances that Israel “will not be given permission again to attack us.”
Netanyahu has not publicly commented on the United States resuming talks with Iran, but he has consistently taken a hard-line stance against diplomacy with Tehran, emphasizing military deterrence over diplomatic engagement.
The Israeli prime minister has advocated for a "Libya-style agreement," which would involve the dismantling of Iran’s entire nuclear program -- a nonstarter for Tehran.
New Satellite Images Show Activity At Iran's Fordow Nuclear Site 1 Week After US Bombings
Former US national security adviser John Bolton says Netanyahu will likely convey to Trump that Iran’s nuclear program can still be a threat.
“I think certainly the Israeli view is going to be that the Iranian nuclear program has been very severely damaged, but it can be reconstructed and remains a threat,” he told RFE/RL in an interview on July 7.
“That is something that for Israel is obviously existential.”
With Iran’s nuclear program damaged but not dismantled, and diplomacy hanging in the balance, Trump may see an opening to shift the dynamic. Having backed Netanyahu militarily by joining the strikes on Iran -- something Netanyahu has long pushed for -- Trump could now press for diplomatic space in return.
After delivering on Netanyahu’s terms, he may argue that it’s time for Israel to support a deal that serves his own.
With reporting by Zoriana Stepanenko, Reuters, AP, and AFP
- By RFE/RL
European Powers Alarmed As Iran Halts Nuclear Oversight
Iran has enacted a decision to suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), alarming European powers who called the move "disastrous."
Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian on July 2 enacted a law passed last week -- after Israeli and US air strikes over 12 days hit its most-important nuclear facilities -- to stop cooperating with the UN nuclear watchdog until Tehran receives guarantees that its nuclear sites and scientists are safe and that its right to enrich uranium domestically is assured.
Suspending cooperation with the IAEA means Iran will halt inspections, reporting, and oversight activities under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Giese said the decision sends a “disastrous signal,” insisting that cooperation with the watchdog is “crucial” for “diplomacy to succeed.”
A day before the implementation of the law, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Russian leader Vladimir Putin to persuade Iran to resume cooperation with the IAEA, which the Kremlin agreed to, according to RFE/RL sources.
Putin also expressed support for a diplomatic resolution, potentially including a zero-enrichment outcome in Iran -- a non-starter for Tehran.
Macron warned that without a solid deal between Tehran and Washington on Iran’s nuclear program, European powers would begin the process of re-imposing UN sanctions against the Islamic republic.
US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce called Iran's suspension of cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog "unacceptable." Bruce noted that the decision comes at a time when Iran "has a window of opportunity to reverse course and choose a path of peace and prosperity."
The United States and Iran had engaged in five rounds of indirect negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program before the talks broke down, prompting Israel to launch airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military targets on June 13.
The United States entered the conflict on June 22, joining Israel by striking three major Iranian nuclear sites, including the heavily fortified underground facility at Fordow.
New Satellite Images Show Activity At Iran's Fordow Nuclear Site 1 Week After US Bombings
Eric Brewer of the Washington-based Nuclear Threat Initiative, said "a new and dangerous phase" had begun with Iran's decision to suspend cooperation with the IAEA.
"The task of understanding what’s happening at Iran’s nuclear sites, new and old, will fall entirely on intelligence organizations," Brewer, a former US intelligence analyst, wrote on X.
In an interview with CBS News aired on July 1, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi indicated that Tehran remains open to talks with the Washington.
“I don’t believe negotiations will restart as quickly as that,” Araqchi said, responding to Trump’s suggestion that talks could begin as soon as this week. Still, he emphasized, “the doors of diplomacy will never be completely closed.”
But Trump this week appeared to change his stance on talks with the Islamic republic, writing on his Truth Social platform that he is “not offering Iran anything…nor am I even talking to them since we totally obliterated their nuclear facilities.”
The full impact of the 12-day conflict with Israel on Iran’s nuclear program is still uncertain. While Iran claims its nuclear facilities were heavily damaged, it has pledged to press on with its program, insisting it remains peaceful.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi stated last week that Iran could restart uranium enrichment “in a matter of months.”
Tehran has repeatedly accused the UN nuclear watchdog of bias, alleging it collaborates with Western nations and Israel against Iran.
For years, Grossi has criticized Iran for what he sees as a persistent lack of cooperation in the agency’s efforts to investigate previously undisclosed nuclear sites. This ultimately resulted in the IAEA Board of Governors last month issuing a rare non-compliance resolution against Iran, which Tehran claims facilitated Israel’s attacks.
- By RFE/RL
Trump's Shifting Stance On Iran Talks Sows Confusion In Tehran
US President Donald Trump said he is not speaking to Iran, a sharp reversal from last week when he announced that talks with Tehran were imminent, despite Iran denying any such plans.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote on June 30 that he is “not offering Iran anything…nor am I even talking to them since we totally obliterated their nuclear facilities.”
The United States bombed three key Iranian nuclear sites on June 22, including the heavily fortified underground facility in Fordow.
Trump appeared to be responding to comments by Democratic Senator Chris Coons, who had questioned Trump’s earlier remarks about China being able to resume purchasing oil from Iran following the US-brokered cease-fire between Israel and Iran on June 24.
“Either President Trump doesn’t know his own administration has crippling sanctions on Iranian oil, or he doesn’t care if our adversaries violate our own sanctions policies. I don't know which is more alarming,” Coons wrote on X.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei on June 30 accused the Trump administration of making a habit of shifting positions.
“These constant shifts and mixed signals, which have become a regular pattern of US behavior over the past three or four months, are simply not something we can rely on,” he said at his weekly press briefing.
New Satellite Images Show Activity At Iran's Fordow Nuclear Site 1 Week After US Bombings
The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven on June 30 urged the resumption of negotiations for a deal to address Iran's nuclear program. A joint statement by the G7 foreign ministers also expressed support for a a cease-fire between Israel and Iran.
The extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear program during the 12-day war with Israel remains unclear. Iran says its nuclear sites suffered extensive damages but has vowed to continue with its program, which it maintains is peaceful.
Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said last week that Iran could resume uranium enrichment “in a matter of months.”
“Frankly speaking, one cannot claim that everything has disappeared and there is nothing there,” he said.
- By RFE/RL
Iran's Guardian Council Approves Suspension Of Cooperation With UN Nuclear Watchdog
Iran's constitutional watchdog, the Guardian Council, on June 26 approved parliament's move to suspend Tehran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) after the country’s nuclear sites were bombed over the weekend in the 12-day conflict with Israel.
The law, which was approved by lawmakers with a 221-0 vote a day earlier, will ultimately be decided upon by the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).
The SNSC is technically led by the president, but like all key state institutions, it answers to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"The plan to require the government to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency was not found to be contrary to Islamic law and the constitution after review by members of the Guardian Council," Hadi Tahan Nazif, a spokesman for the council, said in a post on X.
Israel launched an unprecedented attack on key Iranian nuclear and military sites as well as residential areas on June 13 in a war that claimed scores of civilian lives on both sides before it came to an end in a fragile cease-fire brokered by the United States on June 24.
On June 21, the United States struck three nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
New Satellite Images Show Damage And Clean Up At Iran's Nuclear Sites
The bill conditions the lifting of the suspension to guarantees that Iranian nuclear sites and scientists are safe and that Tehran’s right to enrich uranium domestically is assured.
Among Israel's targets in its attacks on Iran were scientists involved in Iran's nuclear program. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and that it does not seek to weaponize it.
Suspending cooperation with the IAEA means Iran will halt inspections, reporting, and oversight activities under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Ahead of the vote by lawmakers, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf criticized the IAEA for what he said was the UN nuclear watchdog’s failure to “even pretend to condemn attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities” and accused it of “putting its international credibility for up for sale.”
As per protocol, Qalibaf announced that he had instructed the government to implement the law following its approval by the Guardian Council.
Tehran has long accused the IAEA of bias and working with Western powers and Israel against Iran.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has for years complained about what he describes as Iran’s lack of cooperation with the agency over investigations into old but undeclared nuclear sites.
“The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran will suspend its cooperation with the agency until the security of nuclear facilities is guaranteed, and Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will advance at a faster pace,” Qalibaf said in comments that were followed by lawmakers chanting “death to” America and Israel.
- By RFE/RL
Iran's Parliament Votes To Suspend Cooperation With UN Nuclear Watchdog
Iranian lawmakers have overwhelmingly voted to suspend Tehran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) after the country’s nuclear sites were bombed over the weekend in the 12-day conflict with Israel.
The bill, which state media reported on June 25 as passing by a 221-0 vote, will need to be approved by the constitutional watchdog, the Guardians Council. The decision to implement it ultimately lies with the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).
The SNSC is technically led by the president, but like all key state institutions, it answers to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Israel launched an unprecedented attack on key Iranian nuclear and military sites as well as residential areas on June 13 in a war that claimed scores of civilian lives on both sides before it came to an end in a fragile cease-fire brokered by the United States on June 24.
On June 21, the United States struck three nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
"In view of the violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran by the Zionist regime and the United States of America regarding the country’s peaceful nuclear facilities, and the endangerment of the supreme interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran… the government is obligated to immediately, upon the ratification of this law, suspend all cooperation with the IAEA under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty [NPT] and its related safeguards,” the text of the bill reads.
The bill, if ratified, will condition the lifting of the suspension to guarantees that Iranian nuclear sites and scientists are safe and that Tehran’s right to enrich uranium domestically is assured.
Among Israel's targets in its attacks on Iran were scientists involved in Iran's nuclear program. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and does not seek to weaponize it.
Suspending cooperation with the IAEA means Iran will halt inspections, reporting, and oversight activities under the NPT.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf criticized the IAEA for what he said was the UN nuclear watchdog’s failure to “even pretend to condemn attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities” and accused it of “putting its international credibility for up for sale.”
Tehran has long accused the IAEA of bias and working with Western powers and Israel against Iran.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has for years complained about what he describes as Iran’s lack of cooperation with the agency over investigations into old but undeclared nuclear sites.
“The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran will suspend its cooperation with the agency until the security of nuclear facilities is guaranteed, and Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will advance at a faster pace,” Qalibaf said in comments that were followed by lawmakers chanting “death to” America and Israel.
- By RFE/RL
Trump Says Cease-Fire In Effect After Expressing Anger Over Violations
(Editor's Note: Coarse language in fourth paragraph)
US President Donald Trump claimed a cease-fire between Iran and Israel was “in effect” on June 24 after lashing out at both sides for violating the agreement he brokered and calling for calm.
Taking questions as he prepared to leave Washington for a NATO summit at The Hague, Trump appeared angry with Israel over reports it was again striking targets inside the territory of its archenemy despite an agreement to hold fire.
“They [Iran] violated it, but Israel violated it, too,” Trump said. He added, ”I’m not happy with Israel."
“I’m not happy with them. I’m not happy with Iran, either, but I’m really unhappy with Israel going out this morning,” Trump said adding, “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.”
Israel said it struck Iranian radar stations near Tehran and accused Iran of launching missiles into its airspace after the truce was supposed to take effect. The Iranian military denied firing on Israel, state media reported.
Trump, who arrived later in Amsterdam to attend the NATO summit, said later the deal was saved. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he held off on a tougher strike against Iran after speaking to Trump.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he told US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth that his country would respect the cease-fire unless Iran violated it. Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian likewise said Iran would honor the ceasefire as long as Israel did, according to Iranian media.
Katz said earlier in the day that he had ordered the military to launch new strikes on targets in Tehran in response to what he said were Iranian missiles fired in a "blatant violation" of the cease-fire.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) admitted it had launched 14 missiles at military targets inside Israel, but claimed the operation was carried out minutes before the cease-fire took effect, according to the Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the group.
Pezeshkian announced the "end of the 12-day war" imposed by Israel in a message to the nation carried by IRNA.
"Today, after the heroic resistance of our great nation, whose determination makes history, we are witnessing the establishment of a truce and the ending of this 12-day war imposed by the adventurism and provocation" of Israel, Pezeshkian said.
Earlier, Trump said no Americans were harmed and hardly any damage was done when Iran fired missiles at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on June 23, adding in a social media post that he hopes both Iran and Israel will "now proceed to Peace and Harmony."
Trump called it a "very weak response" to the US "obliteration" of Iran's nuclear facilities in an attack over the weekend and thanked Iran for giving the United States early notice, which he said made it possible to prevent the loss of life and injuries.
Many experts saw it as a sign that Iran did not want to escalate the crisis, given the limited strike against US interests and the fact that Tehran had given Washington prior notice.
Qatar had previously said its air defenses thwarted the attack, which it said targeted the US air base, and said there were no casualties.
"The Ministry of Defense announced that Qatari air defenses successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting the Al Udeid Air Base," the government said in a statement. "Thanks to God and the vigilance of the armed forces personnel and the precautionary measures taken, the incident resulted in no deaths or injuries."
Multiple explosions rocked Doha after Qatar and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspace amid regional fears of escalation between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Iran, which confirmed it had fired several missiles at an air base in Qatar, had earlier threatened to retaliate against US strikes on its Fordow nuclear plant the day before, mentioning US air bases in the region.
The Qatari Defense Ministry statement also condemned the attack, calling it a flagrant violation of the country's sovereignty and airspace and said it "maintains the right to respond directly in a manner proportional to the scale."
Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on June 24 that relations with Tehran were damaged by the attack but that he hoped ties would eventually "come back to normal."
"The partnership between Qatar and the US is just growing stronger...and I hope the good relationship with Iran comes back to normal as soon as possible," he said.
Al Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East, and it is the regional headquarters for the US Central Command (CENTCOM). Several thousand US military personnel are located at the facility.
The US Embassy in Qatar lifted a shelter-in-place order following Iranian strikes. The embassy -- which had issued the directive to American citizens earlier on June 23 -- said it would reopen on June 24.
- By RFE/RL
Trump Announces ‘Complete And Total’ Cease-Fire In Israel-Iran Conflict
US President Donald Trump, in a stunning Truth Social post, declared that a “complete and total” cease-fire had been agreed to in the conflict between Israel and Iran, due to take effect in phased steps, bringing an end to what he called the “12-day war.”
Trump on June 23 said the cease-fire will begin in "approximately six hours" and initially be for 12 hours, “at which point the War will be considered, ENDED.”
Some details remained unclear following Trump’s detailed social media post.
No immediate statement was offered by Iran or Israel. It was not stated if Iran had agreed to terms set down by the United States demanding the end to uranium enrichment.
“CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE!” Trump posted.
"It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!”
“Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.”
Trump said that during the cease-fire, both sides will remain “peaceful and respectful.”
“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, THE 12 DAY WAR.”
“This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will! God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!”
As Trump posted the remarks, drone alerts and attacks were still being reported in both Israel and Iran.
Earlier, Trump said no Americans were harmed and hardly any damage was done when Iran fired missiles at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on June 23, adding in a social media post that he hopes both Iran and Israel will "now proceed to Peace and Harmony."
Trump called it a "very weak response" to the US "obliteration" of Iran's nuclear facilities in an attack over the weekend and thanked Iran for giving the United States early notice, which he said made it possible to prevent the loss of life and injuries.
Many experts saw it as a sign that Iran did not want to escalate the crisis, given the limited strike against US interests and the fact that Tehran had given Washington prior notice.
"There have been 14 missiles fired -- 13 were knocked down, and 1 was 'set free' because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction," Trump said on Truth Social. He said the Iranians have now "gotten it all out of their 'system' and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE."
He suggested that Iran "can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region," adding that he would "enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same."
The US Defense Department earlier confirmed that Iran had launched multiple short- and medium-range ballistic missiles in the attack and said there were no reports of US casualties.
Qatar had previously said its air defenses thwarted the attack, which it said targeted the US air base, and said there were no casualties.
"The Ministry of Defense announced that Qatari air defenses successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base," the government said in a statement. "Thanks to God and the vigilance of the armed forces personnel and the precautionary measures taken, the incident resulted in no deaths or injuries."
Multiple explosions rocked Doha after Qatar and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspace amid regional fears of escalation between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Iran, which confirmed it had fired several missiles at an air base in Qatar, had earlier threatened to retaliate against US strikes on its Fordow nuclear plant the day before, mentioning US air bases in the region.
The Qatari Defense Ministry statement also condemned the attack, calling it a flagrant violation of the country's sovereignty and airspace and said it "maintains the right to respond directly in a manner proportional to the scale."
The ministry also warned that continued military escalation would undermine regional security and stability and push the region toward a point with potentially disastrous repercussions for international peace and security.
Saudi Arabia also condemned Iran's "unjustifiable" attack on Qatar and offered to deploy "all its capabilities" to support Doha.
"This is unacceptable and unjustifiable under any circumstances," Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "The Kingdom affirms its solidarity and full support for...Qatar and offers all its capabilities to support the sisterly State of Qatar in any measures it takes."
Ahead of the attack on Doha, the US and UK foreign offices issued warnings to their respective citizens against possible attacks, urging them to shelter in place out of caution. Many countries in the region closed their airspace and later reopened it.
Al Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East, and it is the regional headquarters for the US Central Command (CENTCOM). Several thousand US military forces are located at Al Udeid Air Base.
The US Embassy in Qatar lifted a shelter-in-place order following Iranian strikes. The embassy, which had told American citizens to shelter in place earlier on June 23, said in a notice posted on its website that it would reopen on June 24.
- By Kian Sharifi
Analysis: Iran's Attack On US Air Base In Qatar Highly Symbolic
The Iranian missile strike on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar was a highly symbolic act, carefully calibrated to send a message of resolve while avoiding a broader and more destructive conflict.
Iran explicitly stated that the number of missiles launched late on June 23 matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites, signaling its intent to deliver a proportional response rather than escalate the situation uncontrollably.
This symmetry in action highlights Iran's desire to demonstrate it will not leave attacks on its territory unanswered but also that it does not seek a full-scale war.
Why Did Iran Target The Al Udeid Air Base?
The Al Udeid Air Base serves as the largest US military installation in the Middle East and is the forward headquarters of US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US military operations in the region. Satellite images on June 20 indicated that the United States had removed around 40 military aircraft of various types from the base.
A key aspect of the strike's symbolic nature was the clear effort to minimize casualties and collateral damage. The attack targeted Al Udeid, but Iran emphasized that it chose a base outside populated areas and, according to Qatari officials, the strike resulted in no injuries.
Such restraint indicates that Iran's objective was not to inflict mass casualties but to make a political and military statement. By providing advance warning and carefully selecting targets, Iran allowed the United States and its allies to take precautions, thereby further reducing the risk of unintended escalation.
Iran Signals It Is Open To De-Escalation
This approach mirrors the response to the US killing of Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Quds Force who was widely described as the second-most powerful man in Iran. Iran retaliated by launching missiles at an Iraqi air base housing US troops in January 2020, which was also preceded by warnings and resulted in no fatalities.
In both cases, Iran sought to satisfy domestic demands for retribution while signaling to the international community, especially regional actors and global powers, that it was open to de-escalation.
This tactic provides all sides with a potential off-ramp from further conflict, allowing leaders to claim they have acted decisively without crossing thresholds that would make diplomatic solutions impossible.
- By Kian Sharifi
What Comes Next: Iran's Options After US Strikes On Its Nuclear Sites
US air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have upended the already tense standoff between Tehran, Washington, and Israel, raising urgent questions about what comes next -- and just how far Iran might go in its retaliation.
Tehran faces the difficult task of crafting a response that is neither too weak to appear powerless nor too forceful to risk further escalation.
Analysts warn that Iran's options are varied, but all carry significant risks of escalation.
"Iran could retaliate in a number of ways. First, and most obvious, is the option to attack US military bases in the region, especially Iraq," said Colin Clarke, director of research at The Soufan Group.
He told RFE/RL that the Iranians could either do this on their own or through the prominent Iraq-based Shi'ite militia Kataib Hezbollah.
While targeting US bases is a threat often voiced by Iranian military figures, the risks associated with the move are not lost on the Iranian authorities. That could explain why Fars news agency, an outlet affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), on June 22 tried to suggest the US strikes were merely a distraction to goad Iran into attacking US bases and shift its attention away from Israel.
Another option, Clarke said, was getting Yemen's Houthi rebels to strike at the Persian Gulf Arab states, as occurred back in June 2019, when the group targeted Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure with drones, shutting down half of the kingdom's oil production.
One "concerning possibility" is Iran relying on asymmetric methods, such as an attack by sleeper cells in the United States linked to its proxies.
The Strait of Hormuz: Desperation Or Deterrence?
Amid a surge of rhetoric in Tehran about closing the Strait of Hormuz -- a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments -- US officials have issued stern warnings.
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have both cautioned Iran against such a move, calling it "suicidal" given it would hurt Iran's own economy because it uses the waterway to export oil, mostly to China.
Some experts are skeptical Iran could meaningfully close the strait or that doing so would be sustainable.
Danielle Pletka, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, told RFE/RL Iran lacks the capacity "to seriously close the Strait of Hormuz" and that ultimately it would harm Iran as well.
"What we would see is that the entire world would unite against Iran. If they try to do that, it will immediately bring in the United States," Pletka argued.
The move may "not win Tehran many friends in the world" but it could be one of Iran's last cards to play, according to Clarke.
"In some ways, it could be an act of desperation as they pull out all of the stops in an effort to get Israel to cease bombing," he said.
‘Already At War'
While senior US officials insist the strikes do not signal a declaration of war, they have made clear any Iranian retaliation will draw a forceful American response.
Fred Fleitz, a former chief of staff at the US National Security Council who spoke to RFE/RL before the United States carried out its attack, argued the notion of "retaliation" may mischaracterize the situation.
"Iran is already at war with the United States," he said. "This is a rogue state that's been at war with the US, with Israel, and with many other nations for a long time."
Tehran's next move could be consequential, with the stability of the region at stake.
"At this point, I think if the United States came under serious or sustained attack, all bets are off, and the bombing would expand and escalate," Clarke warned.
"The United States would essentially join Israel in destroying the regime and everything related to it."
- By Kian Sharifi
Iran Threatens Nuclear Exit And Oil Choke Point As War With Israel Escalates
Amid an escalating Israeli air campaign against Iran, calls are mounting in Tehran to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil routes.
The archenemies have been trading fire since June 13 after Israel launched an unprecedented attack on Iran’s nuclear sites, military bases, and residential areas in a bid to hinder Tehran’s program and eliminate top military leadership.
Detailed Satellite Images Show Impact Of Israeli Strikes On Iranian Facilities
Several high-profile Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commanders and nuclear scientists have been killed in the attacks. Iran’s Health Ministry said on June 15 that 224 people, including children, had been killed.
At least 24 people, including civilians, have been killed in Iranian counterstrikes, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel said it launched its attack because it had concluded that Iran was weeks, if not days, away from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Iran rejects the claim, insisting that its nuclear program is peaceful.
Iran’s parliament is moving forward with a bill to withdraw from the NPT, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei announced on June 16. Iranian officials are also threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz if the attacks continue.
But experts warn Tehran’s threats may be more about political theater than imminent change.
NPT Withdrawal: More Bark Than Bite?
Hard-line Iranian lawmaker Hamid Rasaee over the weekend charged that there was no point in remaining in the NPT since it had failed to protect Iran’s nuclear sites from attacks.
Fellow hard-line legislator Mohammad Mannan weighed in, announcing that a high-priority bill would be submitted to the parliament to push ahead with the withdrawal.
Despite the heated rhetoric in Tehran, experts say Iran is unlikely to actually leave the treaty anytime soon.
“For now, Iran appears unlikely to withdraw from the NPT, despite growing pressure from hard-liners,” Hamidreza Azizi, a fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, told RFE/RL.
Even if the parliament passes the bill, it needs to be approved by the Guardians Council, Iran’s constitutional watchdog whose members are -- directly and indirectly -- appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s commander in chief who has the final say on all state matters.
Azizi argued that withdrawing from the NPT would effectively gut Iran’s legal defense.
“Tehran has so far based its defense at the international level on the assertion that Israel’s actions are unlawful, citing the absence of an imminent threat. Exiting the NPT would undermine this line entirely.”
In 2010, Khamenei issued a fatwa -- a religious ruling -- declaring the use of nuclear weapons as "haram," or forbidden under Islamic law, and stating that Iran would not pursue them.
Iranian officials have frequently pointed to this decree as proof that the Islamic republic has no intention of developing nuclear weapons.
However, analysts argue that the fatwa does not present a serious obstacle to Iran acquiring a bomb. They note that Iran could carry out much of the necessary work while the fatwa remains in place, and Khamenei could simply revoke it at a later stage if a decision were made to move forward.
Baqaei said on June 16 that, despite legislative efforts to initiate Iran's withdrawal from the NPT, Tehran is not looking to acquire nuclear weapons.
Strait Of Hormuz: High Stakes, Low Odds
Hard-line media and several officials have again raised the possibility of closing the Strait of Hormuz -- a move that would threaten nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply. But Gregory Brew, a senior Iran and oil analyst at the New York-based Eurasia Group, says it’s a threat Tehran is unlikely to carry out.
“Closing the strait is Iran's last big card to play,” Brew told RFE/RL. “It has the means of essentially blockading the waterway…by deploying short-range ballistic missiles, naval vessels, and mines.”
But attempting to blockade the strategic strait would have major ramifications, such as “immediately” triggering a response from the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
“If war with Israel is proving very damaging, war with the US (and the GCC) would be much worse,” Brew said.
Economically, closing the Strait of Hormuz would also hurt Iran itself because it is using the waterway to export oil, mostly to China.
“So long as that continues, I don't think it will act on its threats,” Brew added.
What Is Uranium Enrichment?
Did you know that the same technology used to power a city can also be used to build a nuclear bomb?
Uranium enrichment is a process that increases the amount of uranium-235 in natural uranium, making it usable as fuel for nuclear reactors or, at much higher levels, for nuclear weapons. Natural uranium contains only about 0.7 percent uranium-235, which isn’t enough for most applications. Enrichment boosts this percentage, allowing uranium to serve different purposes.
The level of enrichment is crucial. Low-enriched uranium (3–5 percent uranium-235) powers most nuclear reactors, while research reactors may use uranium enriched up to 20 percent. To make a nuclear weapon, uranium must be enriched to at least 90 percent -- known as weapons-grade uranium.
The closer a country gets to this level, the greater the international concern.
Iran’s nuclear program remains in the spotlight because of its uranium enrichment activities. While Iran insists its program is for peaceful energy and medical research, the same technology can be used to make nuclear weapons if enrichment continues to higher levels.
In recent years, Iran has produced uranium enriched up to 60 percent, a significant technical step closer to weapons-grade material. This has raised concerns about how quickly Iran could produce weapons-grade uranium if it chose to do so.
Iran is currently the only country without nuclear weapons that is enriching uranium to 60 percent purity. It increased enrichment from 20 percent to 60 percent in April 2021, following a sabotage attack on its Natanz nuclear facility, which Iran blamed on Israel.
Earlier this month, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors passed a resolution declaring that Iran is not complying with its nuclear obligations. The Board cited Iran’s failure to cooperate fully regarding undeclared nuclear materials and activities. Iran criticized the resolution and announced plans to launch a new enrichment site and expand its enrichment capabilities.
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