Tehran ~ Iran has officially withdrawn from a key cooperation arrangement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), escalating tensions over its nuclear programme following a split vote at the UN watchdog's Board of Governors.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that Tehran now considers the so-called“Cairo understanding” terminated after the Board approved a resolution urging Iran to“without delay” provide answers on its enriched uranium stockpile and clarify issues related to facilities damaged in attacks earlier this year.

The resolution-drafted by the US and the European trio of France, Germany and the UK-passed 19–3 with 12 abstentions. It made no mention of Iran's cooperation with the agency, something Tehran had insisted be acknowledged.

Calling the resolution“illegal and unjustified”, Araghchi accused its sponsors of using political pressure to push it forward, saying the move undermines the IAEA's“credibility and independence”. He said the measure was adopted“under pressure from these four countries” despite opposition or abstentions from 15 board members.

Araghchi said the action undermined the IAEA's“credibility and independence” and would disrupt the agency's cooperation with Iran.

The Cairo understanding refers to a deal reached in Cairo, Egypt, between Iran and the IAEA in September 2025, under which they agreed on a technical framework to resume cooperation and inspections.

He said Iran has formally notified IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi that the technical cooperation framework agreed in Cairo in September 2025“is no longer valid.”

Iran's ambassador to the agency, Reza Najafi, also strongly criticised the Board's decision, describing it as“unconstructive” and aimed at compensating for the failure of the US and Europe to revive UN sanctions through a disputed“snapback” mechanism. Iran-backed by Russia, China, and some others-maintains that the 2015 nuclear deal has expired and related sanctions are void.

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