Saed News: Decisions such as closing the Strait of Hormuz or withdrawing from the NPT relate to the last options connected to attacks — that is, when the country moves toward building bombs, nuclear weapons, or the like, and then decides not to comply with the agency’s demands.
Saed News reports, quoting Fararu: Amid rising tensions between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the European Troika has proposed nuclear talks with Iran, while recently Rafael Grossi presented an anti-Iranian report at the IAEA Board of Governors.
The issue of IAEA inspectors’ presence in Iran and the nature of Iran’s future cooperation with the agency remain key concerns. Ahmad Bakhshesh Ardestani, member of the Parliament’s Foreign Policy and National Security Committee, discussed this matter with Fararu:
Our continued cooperation with the IAEA depends on the outcome of the war
Ahmad Bakhshesh Ardestani told Fararu:
“I believe what will happen between Iran and the IAEA inspectors largely depends on the outcome of the Israel-Iran war and how long it lasts. If Iran deals heavier blows to Israel, other countries will intervene to end the war and bring the two countries to peace. In that case, our relationship with the IAEA will normalize. Since we are a member of the NPT, the agency inspectors will conduct routine visits to our nuclear plants and sites according to NPT regulations. So far, we have cooperated with the IAEA beyond what was necessary and have never neglected this. Even under the Additional Protocol, we had arrangements allowing inspectors to visit Iranian sites anytime they wished. As long as we remain in the NPT, inspectors’ access to our sites will remain normal.”
He added:
“However, regarding continued cooperation with the agency, I emphasize that everything depends on how the Israel-Iran war ends. Some express personal opinions, such as leaving the NPT or closing the Strait of Hormuz. These remarks make the other side think. The call to leave the NPT is because the NPT should also protect the security of our nuclear sites and assist us, not share information with the West and Israel so they can attack us. When relations reach a critical stage leading to war, it is impossible to predict outcomes accurately before the war ends. Unexpected events may arise that affect the final results.”
Closing the Strait of Hormuz and leaving the NPT are last-resort options
The parliament member said:
“Some believe leaving the NPT could be a form of protest to attract public attention to the neglect of Iran’s rights and legal compliance with the agency’s demands. But one crucial point cannot be ignored: leaving the NPT means moving toward nuclear weapons. Also, if we need to cooperate with the IAEA in the future, it will be voluntary, like Israel. For example, if Mr. Grossi, the IAEA Director General, asks us something, we can choose whether or not to respond. But all this depends on Iran deciding to leave the NPT. Currently, we have no such decision to leave the NPT or close the Strait of Hormuz, since no problem has arisen for the Islamic Republic of Iran yet.”
He continued:
“Decisions like closing the Strait of Hormuz or leaving the NPT are linked to last-resort responses to attacks — that is, when the country moves toward building bombs, nuclear weapons, or the like, and then decides not to comply with the agency’s demands. If officials conclude that as a final option they should increase pressure through higher oil prices, or provoke regional countries to push toward ending the war, they might close the Strait of Hormuz. But the truth is, Iran has not made any such decisions yet.”
