Board members of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, passed a resolution Wednesday criticizing Iran’s lack of cooperation with IAEA nuclear inspections.
The resolution was initiated by Britain, France and Germany and was contested by China and Russia. Twelve countries abstained. The resolution is the first of its kind since 2022 and comes amid a standoff over Iran’s escalating nuclear activities.
Iran denies the claim made by Western powers that Tehran is advancing nuclear weapons development, despite a confidential document obtained by Agence France-Presse emphasizing the “essential and urgent” need for Tehran to provide “technically credible explanations” regarding the presence of uranium particles detected at two undisclosed locations in Iran.
Iranian media and officials claimed the resolution was directed against Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.
Earlier on Wednesday, Iranian acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani warned the IAEA about attempts by certain member states to exploit the agency’s capabilities for their political agendas.
“The nonconstructive approach of some member countries in exploiting the agency’s capacity in pursuit of their political goals will definitely harm the identity of the agency, as well as its role-playing and specialized role,” The Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Kani as saying.
According to the IAEA, Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state to enrich uranium to the high level of 60%, approaching weapons grade, while also accumulating significant uranium stockpiles.
