TEHRAN: Iran has taken one further step towards cutting off its cooperation with the United Nations' atomic watchdog, as Tehran takes stock in the aftermath of its brief war with Israel.
The Guardian Council, a key supervisory body, on Thursday approved the temporary suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), state news agency IRNA reported, a day after the measure was passed in parliament.
According to the resolution, Iran will not allow IAEA inspectors into the country until the "safety" of its nuclear facilities is guaranteed.
Tehran is also asking the IAEA to condemn the attacks by the US and Israel on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Without ongoing cooperation with the IAEA, which is mandated to monitor nuclear facilities in countries around the world, there is little prospect of negotiations with the US resuming.
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that there would be new talks with Iran next week - a comment that has not brought any official response from Tehran so far.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Thursday that Israel was hit hard by the conflict, in his first public comments since a ceasefire came into force earlier this week.
"Despite all the fanfares and claims, the Zionist regime was nearly destroyed and crushed under the blows of the Islamic Republic," Khamenei said in a video message cited by IRNA.
Iran had also achieved "victory over the American regime," he said, arguing that the US had failed to achieve its objectives.
He praised "the extraordinary unity and solidarity of the Iranian people."
Iran suffered major attacks on its nuclear and military facilities during the war which began on June 13, as well as losing many top scientists and military leaders in Israeli strikes. The US also intervened on Israel's behalf with a strike on Iranian nuclear sites at the weekend.
Some two dozen people were killed in Israel. The Iranian authorities say over 600 people were killed in Iran.
The status of Iran's nuclear programme is uncertain after the US strikes.
Despite the ceasefire with Israel, Iranian airspace remains largely closed.
The closure will be extended until 2 pm (1030 GMT) on Friday, IRNA reported, citing a ministry spokesman.
Some exceptions were allowed for the eastern part of the country, but the country's main international hub in the capital remains closed.
Authorities warn of continued Israeli activity
Iran's intelligence services remain on high alert, despite the ceasefire with Israel, according to official reports.
"The cessation of hostile military operations does not mean the end of (Israel's) malicious and hostile actions," the state news agency Tasnim reported. The actions include gathering intelligence about the country, spreading misinformation and weakening national unity, the report said. Suspicious cases must therefore be reported under all circumstances, it added. - dpa
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
