Iran's withdrawal from Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 'would be very regrettable,' says IAEA chief

ISTANBUL

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday warned that Iran's withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) would be "very regrettable."

"This would be, of course, very regrettable. I hope this is not the case. I don't think this would help anybody," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said about Iran's withdrawal from the NPT during a joint news briefing at Austria's Security Cabinet meeting with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler, and Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger.

He warned that it could also lead to "isolation" and unravel a "serious erosion" in the NPT structure.

When asked about Iran's remaining highly enriched uranium stocks following the recent conflict with Israel, Grossi said it is the "number one priority" to return to the sites to assess the situation.

"We have to go back, and going back with inspectors to these places is not an easy thing. So, my idea is to try to engage with them as soon as possible," he added.

His remarks come after the Iranian parliament Wednesday morning voted to suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, one day after a US-proposed ceasefire with Israel took effect.

“The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran will suspend its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency until the security of nuclear facilities is guaranteed,” Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the parliament, said in a statement cited by Fars News Agency.