Iran cut off all ties with the United Nations nuclear watchdog on Wednesday. American officials called the move totally wrong and dangerous. The decision came after a brutal 12-day war between Iran and Israel last month. Israeli warplanes and American forces bombed Iranian nuclear sites during the fighting. Tensions between Iran and the international atomic energy group hit rock bottom.
Iranian lawmakers voted to stop working with the Vienna-based agency on June 25. The vote happened one day after both countries agreed to stop fighting. State media confirmed the new law officially started on Wednesday. Iran claims the decision protects their rights under international nuclear treaties. The country wants to keep enriching uranium without outside interference.
Washington has been pushing Iran to restart peace talks that ended when Israel attacked on June 13. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce slammed Iran for choosing the wrong path. She said Iran had a chance to pick peace and prosperity instead. The UN chief's spokesman also worried about the Iranian choice. Pentagon officials revealed that the bombing raids damaged Iran's nuclear program badly.
Defense Department intelligence reports show the strikes pushed back Iranian nuclear work for up to two years. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told reporters the damage could last closer to two years. UN inspectors remain inside Iran but cannot visit nuclear facilities. Iran's UN ambassador said the inspectors stay safe but their work has stopped completely.
Iranian lawmakers voted to stop working with the Vienna-based agency on June 25. The vote happened one day after both countries agreed to stop fighting. State media confirmed the new law officially started on Wednesday. Iran claims the decision protects their rights under international nuclear treaties. The country wants to keep enriching uranium without outside interference.
Washington has been pushing Iran to restart peace talks that ended when Israel attacked on June 13. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce slammed Iran for choosing the wrong path. She said Iran had a chance to pick peace and prosperity instead. The UN chief's spokesman also worried about the Iranian choice. Pentagon officials revealed that the bombing raids damaged Iran's nuclear program badly.
Defense Department intelligence reports show the strikes pushed back Iranian nuclear work for up to two years. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told reporters the damage could last closer to two years. UN inspectors remain inside Iran but cannot visit nuclear facilities. Iran's UN ambassador said the inspectors stay safe but their work has stopped completely.
