Iran: Non-cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog is now law, says FM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that a bill suspending cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog was now "binding" after being passed by lawmakers and approved by a top vetting body.

"The bill that was approved by (parliament) and has been approved by the Guardian Council today... is binding on us and there is no doubt about its implementation," he told state television. "From now on, our relationship and cooperation with the (International Atomic Energy) Agency will take a new form."

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On June 25, Iran's parliament approved a bill to suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, state-affiliated news outlet Nournews reported.

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The move follows an air war with Israel in which Iran's longtime enemy said it wanted to prevent Tehran developing a nuclear weapon.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf was quoted by state media as also saying Iran would accelerate its civilian nuclear programme.

The Iranian body tasked with vetting the legislation, the Guardian Council, approved the bill on Thursday, citing the recent US and Israeli strikes.

Tehran denies seeking nuclear weapons and says an IAEA resolution this month declaring Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations paved the way for Israel's attacks.

Qalibaf was quoted as saying the IAEA had refused even to appear to condemn the attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and "has put its international credibility up for sale."

He said that "for this reason, the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran will suspend its cooperation with the Agency until the security of the nuclear facilities is guaranteed, and move at a faster pace with the country's peaceful nuclear programme."

The full extent of the damage done to nuclear sites during the Israeli attacks and US bombing of underground Iranian nuclear facilities is not yet clear.