Iran will speed up its peaceful nuclear program, says Parliament Speaker

Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf says Iran will accelerate its peaceful nuclear program in response to the failure of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to condemn U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, according to Tehran Times.

Qalibaf made the remark at an open session of Parliament on Wednesday, a day after a ceasefire came into force that ended 12 days of an Israeli-U.S. war of aggression against Iran, which included attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities of Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.

“The International Atomic Energy Agency, which even refused to condemn the attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, has compromised its international credibility. For this reason, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran suspends its cooperation with the I.A.E.A. until the security of its nuclear facilities is guaranteed,” the speaker said, emphasizing that “Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will move forward more rapidly.”

At the same Parliament session, lawmakers approved a bill mandating the administration to suspend cooperation with the I.A.E.A. over the violation of Iran’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity by Israel and the U.S. in targeting the Iranian peaceful nuclear facilities.

Also in his remarks, Qalibaf referred to the U.S.-Israeli aggression and the ceasefire they were forced to accept.

“Having faced the powerful response by the Iranian Armed Forces, who enjoyed the public support, the United States and Israel were forced to stop their attacks on Iran without achieving their stated goals,” he said.  

The speaker added that the enemy failed to achieve its goal of halting Iran’s uranium enrichment and curb its missile program. Moreover, he said, the military and security infrastructure of Israel were damaged, and all its cities turned unsafe.

“More prepared than ever, with our fingers on the trigger, we will give a powerful and crushing response to any aggression,” Qalibaf said, adding that Iran will not be deceived by any promises.