IRANIAN President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an order today suspending his country’s co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

His action followed Iranian accusations that the United Nations nuclear watchdog had passed sensitive details to Israel and the United States that directly led to the targeting of military sites and the killing of top scientists and academics involved with Tehran’s nuclear programme.

The president’s order gave no more details. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signalled in a CBS News interview that Tehran would still be willing to continue negotiations with Washington.

“I don’t think negotiations will restart as quickly as that," Mr Araghchi said, referring to US President Donald Trump’s comments that talks could start as early as this week. 

However, he added: “The doors of diplomacy will never slam shut.”

Mr Pezeshkian’s order came after Iran’s parliament a law passed to suspend co-operation. 

“The government is mandated to immediately suspend all co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency under the treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its related Safeguards Agreement,” state television quoted the Bill as saying.

“This suspension will remain in effect until certain conditions are met, including the guaranteed security of nuclear facilities and scientists.”

Tehran’s decision drew immediate condemnation from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who said: “Iran has just issued a scandalous announcement about suspending its co-operation with the IAEA. 

“This is a complete renunciation of all its international nuclear obligations and commitments.”

Iran’s action stops short of a full end to its co-operation with the IAEA, withdrawal from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and accelerated steps towards developing a nuclear bomb. 

Signatories to that treaty agree not to build or obtain nuclear weapons and to allow the IAEA to conduct inspections to verify that countries have correctly declared their programmes.

Israel, which is understood to have nuclear weapons, is not a signatory to the NPT or subject to IAEA inspections.