WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department on Wednesday condemned Iran’s decision to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), following President Masoud Pezeshkian’s signing of a new law formalizing the move.
“Iran must cooperate fully, without further delay,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said at a press briefing. Her comments came after Iran’s parliament approved the suspension and amid heightened nuclear tensions in the region.
Why It Matters
The decision to cut ties with the IAEA may give Iran leverage in any future nuclear negotiations—though Tehran has rejected President Donald Trump’s recent offer to restart diplomatic talks.
While Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful energy purposes, it has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels—well beyond what is needed for civilian use—raising international fears it could rapidly develop a nuclear weapon if it chose to.
U.S. Response
Asked about the development, Bruce initially replied with a sarcastic “surprise,” before elaborating forcefully on the U.S. position.
“It is unacceptable that Iran chose to suspend cooperation with the IAEA at a moment when it had a real opportunity to choose peace and prosperity,” she said. “Iran must fully comply with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and allow unrestricted IAEA access to its nuclear sites—including the newly disclosed enrichment facility.”
Bruce also referenced the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, which she credited with halting a dangerous buildup of enriched uranium.
“Prior to our successful military operation, Iran was accumulating highly enriched uranium with no credible peaceful justification,” she said. “It was the only country enriching uranium to 60% without possessing nuclear weapons.”
Iran Pushes Back
Iran’s foreign ministry argued that the IAEA’s expectation of resumed cooperation was unrealistic so soon after the strikes. Officials warned they could not guarantee the safety of nuclear inspectors, especially at damaged facilities.
President Trump has said the joint U.S.-Israel operation led to the “total obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Iranian officials have admitted serious damage at several sites, though international inspectors have yet to be granted access to assess the full extent of the impact.
The primary nuclear sites affected include Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Satellite Imagery & Expert Reaction
New satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies shows heavy excavation work underway near the Fordow site. Independent analysts believe Iran may be attempting rapid reconstruction or burial of critical infrastructure.
Professor Uriel Abulof told Newsweek, “An Iranian regime under siege, armed with just enough nuclear capability to be dangerous, is the darkest kind of threat.”
Political Fallout
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, appearing at a White House event Thursday, reinforced Trump’s domestic and foreign policy stances, including his hardline posture toward Iran.
Elaborating further, Bruce said: “We await additional IAEA reporting. But let me be clear—we have made real progress under President Trump’s leadership, and Iran will not obtain a nuclear weapon.”
What Happens Next
President Trump has warned that the U.S. is prepared to intervene militarily again if Iran resumes enrichment or attempts to rebuild its nuclear program.
“We’ll strike again if we have to,” Trump said on Wednesday. “Iran knows we’re serious. We won’t let them threaten the world with nuclear weapons.”
