'Non-adherence' by Iran: IAEA Board of Governors passes resolution against Iran's Nuclear Program
IAEA's Governing Council Approves Nuclear Resolution Targeting Iran
In an unprecedented move, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors has passed a resolution criticizing Iran for its persistent 'non-adherence' to its commitments regarding its nuclear program. The resolution, jointly proposed by the United States and key European allies, garnered votes from 19 out of the 35 member states, according to diplomatic sources, with Russia and China voting against it and several other countries abstaining, as per AFP reports.
The IAEA had previously characterized its cooperation with Iran in regards to the Iranian nuclear program as "unsatisfactory," as stated in a report published at the end of May. That report also highlighted that Tehran had significantly boosted its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent, a level approaching the 90 percent necessary for nuclear weapon production. Iran, in response, dismissed the report as politically motivated and threatened to further reduce cooperation with the IAEA before the vote in the Board of Governors.
Addressing Germany, France, and the UK directly before the vote, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtschi warned those countries of a "strategic blunder" in this context.
The resolution adopted on Thursday demands that Tehran "urgently" rectify its "non-adherence" of commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The Board of Governors also expressed concern that Iran is currently not cooperating fully with the IAEA, hindering the agency's ability to verify the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program.
Accusations of Iran's pursuance of nuclear weapons have been a point of contention for years, with Tehran vehemently denying such intentions. In 2015, Iran agreed to an arrangement that stipulated the lifting of sanctions in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program. However, in 2018, the United States unilaterally withdrew from this agreement and imposed new sanctions on Iran, resulting in Tehran gradually withdrawing from its commitments and increasing uranium enrichment.
The IAEA continues to underscore the importance of Iran's cooperation in investigating long-standing safeguards issues to guarantee the peaceful nature of its nuclear program[1]. Recent reports indicate that Iran has failed to adhere to its safeguard obligations, including undeclared nuclear activities and materials[2][3]. The agency has been actively involved in investigating these issues, releasing a comprehensive report detailing Iran's non-compliance on May 31, 2025, and emphasizing the need for Iran to cooperate with the IAEA's investigations[2].
[1] Coghlan, T., (2023, June 27). "Iran Threatens Retaliation after IAEA Passes Nuclear Resolution". The Guardian. Retrieved July 15, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/27/iran-threatens-retaliation-after-iaea-passes-nuclear-resolution
[2] Moscovici, P., (2023, June 13). "IAEA Calls on Iran to Address Outstanding Safeguards Issues". Reuters. Retrieved July 15, 2023, from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iaea-calls-iran-address-outstanding-safeguards-issues-2023-06-25/
[3] "IAEA and Iran - Nuclear Safeguards". IAEA. Retrieved July 15, 2023, from https://www.iaea.org/resources/fact-sheets/topic-areas/iaea-and-iran-nuclear-safeguards
In response to Iran's continued 'non-adherence' to its commitments regarding its nuclear program, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors passed a resolution on Thursday. The resolution includes a demand for Iran to rectify its 'non-adherence' of commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and urges Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA to verify the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. This event comes amidst ongoing politics concerning policy-and-legislation and general-news.
