Tehran: Iranian local media quoted the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, as saying on Monday that his country had canceled the cooperation agreement it signed with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last September.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Larijani stated during a joint press conference with National Security Advisor Qassem al-Araji that the reports submitted by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, are no longer effective. He stressed that Iran is seriously pursuing the issue of strengthening the capabilities of its armed forces.

In response to questions regarding the Cairo agreement and the future of cooperation between Iran and the IAEA following the activation of the trigger mechanism, Larijani explained that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had confirmed after the Cairo meeting that if the trigger mechanism is activated, the agreement will be null and void. Larijani noted that this has already taken place and suggested that any proposals from the agency should be submitted for discussion by a committee of the Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council.

Regarding the report Grossi is scheduled to submit to the Board of Governors, Larijani remarked that Grossi's reports are no longer influential. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining national cohesion and strengthening the capabilities of the armed forces to confront threats.

Larijani also discussed his recent visit to Russia, highlighting ongoing communication between Tehran and Moscow. He mentioned that Iran has strategic relations with both Russia and China, with President Masoud Pezeshkian recently signing a document to strengthen strategic ties with Russia. Larijani expressed appreciation for Russia's stance on the snapback mechanism, criticizing the Europeans for their actions and declaring the mechanism's implementation illegal and baseless.

Larijani's remarks follow Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi's statement made about three weeks ago, indicating Tehran would cancel the agreement if Western powers reimposed UN sanctions, which occurred last month. The agreement had allowed the IAEA to resume inspections of Iranian nuclear sites.