Iran warns it may expel IAEA inspectors over threats from US and Israel

Iran has threatened to halt its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if the United States and Israel continue issuing threats against the country.

The warning came from Ali Shamkhani, a senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, in a message posted on the social media platform X, per Caliber.Az.

“The continuation of external threats and Iran being in a state of military attack may lead to deterrent measures, including expulsion of inspectors from IAEA and cessation of cooperation,” Shamkhani stated.

He added that Iranian authorities are also considering relocating enriched uranium to secure and undisclosed locations within the country, should tensions escalate further.

The remarks follow recent developments in the ongoing standoff between Tehran and Washington. On March 7, former US President Donald Trump revealed he had sent a message to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei via the United Arab Emirates. In it, Trump reportedly warned that Iran must either “make a deal” or face “military consequences” from the United States. “I would prefer to make a deal because I’m not looking to hurt Iran,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News. The exact content of the message has not been disclosed, but sources told Axios that Trump had given Iran a two-month window to engage in talks on a new nuclear agreement.

By the end of March, Iran delivered its response through Oman. According to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Tehran rejected the possibility of direct negotiations but kept the door open to indirect talks. “The path of indirect talks remains open,” he said, emphasizing that “the behavior of the Americans will determine the future of the dialogue.”

Trump has since reiterated that he expects upcoming consultations to be direct. However, Iranian negotiator Abbas Araghchi clarified that Iran’s delegation would attend only indirect discussions in Oman. “This is both an opportunity and a test. The ball is in America’s court,” Araghchi wrote on X. He added that Iran is willing to return to the negotiating table if the US agrees to lift what he called “tyrannical sanctions.”

On April 9, the United States expanded its sanctions list to include several individuals allegedly connected to Iran’s nuclear development efforts. The following day, Trump warned that the US was prepared to use military force against Iran if necessary.

Also on April 9, Iranian lawmaker Hossein Emami-Rad claimed that Iran was closer to developing a nuclear weapon than other countries might expect. He added that the only factor preventing Iran from moving forward with the program was a religious decree from Ayatollah Khamenei prohibiting nuclear weapons.

The next round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States is scheduled for April 12 in Oman.

By Tamilla Hasanova