USA (Washington Insider Magazine)— According to diplomatic sources, Britain, France, and Germany submitted a resolution to the UN nuclear watchdog’s board on Monday, censuring Iran for its lack of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This move comes despite opposition from the United States.
Concerns Over Iran’s Nuclear Activities
Western countries have persistently expressed apprehensions that Iran might be attempting to produce nuclear weapons, a charge Iran has categorically refuted. One diplomatic source told AFP, “The text has been formally tabled,” while a second source corroborated the information. Diplomats stressed how urgent it is to react the gravity of the situation, according to France24.
IAEA’s Stance on Iran’s Uranium Enrichment
Iran is the only country without nuclear weapons that enriches uranium to a high level of 60%, according to the IAEA. This is much more than the 3.67% enrichment needed for nuclear power plants and near the 90% enrichment needed for atomic weapons. Iran increased its uranium enrichment activities after the latest resolution denouncing the country was enacted in November 2022.
IAEA’s Limited Oversight
IAEA head Rafael Grossi reiterated his concerns at the opening of the meeting on Monday, stating that discussing nuclear weapons, as some in Iran do, is unacceptable. He warned that the limited oversight the agency now has on Iran’s nuclear program creates a significant “knowledge gap,” hindering diplomatic efforts.
Previous Diplomatic Maneuvers
At the last board meeting in March, European powers postponed their plans to confront Iran due to a lack of support from Washington. The United States denies obstructing European efforts but fears a censure could heighten Middle East tensions ahead of the upcoming US presidential elections.
Call for Increased Cooperation
Diplomats assert that the current policy of inaction is unsustainable amid Iran’s escalation, suggesting that the US position might change before the IAEA vote later this week. In May, Grossi visited Iran to enhance cooperation, calling for “concrete results soon.” Despite the death of Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash last month, Grossi rejected claims that Iran was using the incident as a delaying tactic.
Draft Resolution Demands
The draft resolution obtained by AFP states it is “essential and urgent” for Tehran to provide “technically credible explanations” for the presence of uranium particles at two undeclared sites in Iran. It also demands Iran to reverse the withdrawal of several experienced Agency inspectors’ designations and to reconnect the cameras monitoring nuclear activities. Concerns were also raised about recent public statements in Iran regarding its technical capabilities to produce nuclear weapons and potential changes to its nuclear doctrine.
Iran’s Response and Historical Context
Iran has progressively distanced itself from the terms of the nuclear agreement it signed with major nations in 2015, which relieved sanctions in return for limits on its atomic program. Following the US’s unilateral departure in 2018, under then-President Donald Trump, the agreement fell apart. So far, attempts to bring the deal back have failed. Naysan Rafati, an Iran analyst at the Crisis Group, noted the broader impasse over Iran, with limited diplomatic activity but increasing concern over the expanding nuclear program under limited international oversight.
Potential Consequences
Ali Shamkhani, a political adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, warned that if some European countries adopt a hostile stance towards Iran on the board, they will face a “serious and effective response” from Iran. Russia’s ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, cautioned that tabling an “anti-Iranian resolution” could risk “seriously deteriorating the situation.”