Egypt Daily News – The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday adopted a resolution condemning Iran’s “non-compliance” with its nuclear obligations, in a new warning ahead of a potential referral to the United Nations. According to several diplomatic sources cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP), 19 out of 35 member states supported the text, which was drafted by London, Paris, Berlin, and Washington.
This move marks the latest step in a diplomatic effort that has been ongoing for years to limit Iran’s nuclear activities, amid Western concerns that Tehran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons — an accusation the Islamic Republic denies.
China, Russia, and Burkina Faso voted against the resolution, while 11 countries abstained, according to diplomats speaking to AFP.
Paraguay and Venezuela were unable to participate due to insufficient payment of their financial contributions.
Prior to the vote, Tehran threatened to “respond forcefully” by reducing its cooperation with the IAEA if the resolution were adopted.
Diplomats said the resolution aims to increase pressure on Iran.
The resolution comes amid ongoing indirect talks between Iran and the United States, mediated by Oman.
The two countries have held five rounds of negotiations since April in an attempt to find an alternative to the 2015 agreement, which was designed to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
Tensions in the Middle East have been rising, and former U.S. President Donald Trump stated he is now “less confident” about reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran.
On Wednesday, Iran threatened to target U.S. military bases in the region if conflict erupts.
A new round of talks on the nuclear issue is scheduled to be held in Muscat on Sunday.
U.S. chargé d’affaires Howard Solomon said in a statement during this week’s IAEA Board of Governors meeting: “The United States is negotiating in good faith to reach an agreement that allows us to confidently say what President Trump has consistently stated: Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.”
He added that “Iran now has an opportunity to build trust: by providing greater transparency to the Agency” and “by halting its escalatory nuclear activities.”
The resolution adopted Thursday calls on Iran to “urgently address the issue of its non-compliance” with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
It also expresses “deep regret” that Tehran, “despite repeated calls from the Board of Governors and numerous available opportunities… has not fully cooperated with the Agency.”
The resolution states that the IAEA’s “inability to provide assurance that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful raises questions that fall under the jurisdiction of the United Nations Security Council,” which could impose sanctions.
For years, the IAEA has sought clarification regarding nuclear materials and equipment found at undeclared sites, linked to activities that were allegedly carried out up until the early 2000s.
In recent months, Tehran has accelerated its production of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.
Iran has gradually rolled back its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal signed with Western powers.
That historic agreement provided Iran with sanctions relief in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program, but it collapsed after the United States unilaterally withdrew in 2018.
Efforts to revive the agreement have so far failed.
