Iran Terminates Cairo Agreement with IAEA Amid Escalating Tensions

Iran Ends Nuclear Safeguards Deal

The Islamic Republic of Iran officially announced its termination of the 'Cairo Agreement,' a key nuclear safeguards deal with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on November 25, 2025. This move comes in direct response to a resolution passed by the IAEA Board of Governors, which Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated was an act of 'escalation' by the United States and the E3 (France, Germany, and the United Kingdom).

Foreign Minister Araghchi, in a post on his X account, asserted that the US and E3 'have assaulted diplomacy every step of the way and brought about the collapse of the Cairo Agreement.' He further declared that these Western powers had 'killed' the agreement.

Background of the Cairo Agreement

The Cairo Agreement was initially brokered in September 2025 between Iran and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in the Egyptian capital. Its purpose was to establish practical modalities for resuming cooperation and IAEA inspections, which had been suspended by Iran. Iran had halted cooperation following military strikes on its nuclear facilities in June 2025 by Israel and the United States, accusing the IAEA of complicity for not condemning the attacks.

The agreement was intended to address Iran's restrictions on access for IAEA inspectors, aiming to defuse tensions. However, its functionality was deemed compromised by Tehran after the E3 triggered a 'snapback' mechanism in September, leading to the reimposition of UN sanctions.

IAEA Resolution and Iran's Response

The immediate catalyst for Iran's withdrawal was the IAEA Board of Governors' resolution, adopted on November 20, 2025. This resolution, drafted by the US and E3, passed with 19 votes in favor, three against (Russia, China, and Niger), and 12 abstentions.

The resolution demanded that Iran:

• Provide 'full and prompt' cooperation with the IAEA.
• Supply detailed information on its enriched uranium stockpile, including locations, quantities, chemical forms, and enrichment levels.
• Grant access to its nuclear sites, particularly those damaged in the June military strikes.
• Comply fully with its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement and the Additional Protocol.

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that the Cairo Agreement is 'no longer possible to implement' and 'void of validity,' stating that Iran formally notified the IAEA of its termination. Iran views the resolution as 'unlawful and unjustified,' undermining the IAEA's authority and independence.

Future Implications

The termination of the Cairo Agreement signals a return to a period of heightened standoff between Iran and international nuclear watchdogs. Iranian officials have indicated that they are considering further countermeasures in response to the IAEA resolution. Discussions within Iran's parliament include the possibility of withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a move that would significantly escalate nuclear tensions.