Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, announced on Saturday that Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will be banned from entering Iran.

 

Additionally, the country will not permit the agency to install surveillance cameras at its nuclear sites.

 

“We will not allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to place cameras at our nuclear facilities, and the agency’s chief will be prohibited from entering the country,” Abbas Araghchi stated, as reported by the Iranian news agency IRNA.

 

This declaration comes amid rising tensions between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog concerning monitoring access and transparency, following recent military clashes involving Israel and the United States.

 

The announcement follows legislation passed by Iran’s parliament on Wednesday to suspend cooperation with the IAEA.