The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, comprising 35 nations, approved a resolution on Thursday calling for Iran to enhance its cooperation with the agency. The resolution demands a comprehensive report aimed at pressuring Tehran to re-enter nuclear negotiations.
Proposed by Britain, France, Germany, and the United States, the resolution was met with resistance from Iran, which recently attempted to cap its uranium stockpiles. Western powers dismissed this move as inadequate and insincere, further escalating tensions.
Iran has historically reacted strongly to such resolutions, often scaling up its nuclear activities in response. Despite this, the country stated it would respond positively to the current resolution. In previous meetings, Iran criticized the IAEA Board, leading to increased nuclear activities and reduced oversight by the agency.
In the recent vote, China, Russia, and Burkina Faso opposed the resolution, while nineteen countries supported it and twelve abstained. The resolution echoes a similar stance from November 2022, emphasizing the urgent need for Iran to explain uranium traces found at undeclared sites and allowing the IAEA to collect necessary samples.
The new text requests the IAEA to provide an updated assessment by spring 2025 on the presence or use of undeclared nuclear material related to Iran's nuclear program. Western nations hope this report will compel Iran to agree to new restrictions on its nuclear activities.
Failure to establish new limits could lead to a "snapback" mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal, allowing the UN Security Council to reimpose sanctions if necessary. Following the resolution's passage, Iran's state media reported that the country would activate new and advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium.
A senior diplomat commented, \"If there is a resolution, Iran will either increase its activities or reduce the agency's access,\" highlighting the potential for further escalation.
Reference(s):
IAEA Board passes Iran resolution as West pushes Tehran towards talks
cgtn.com
