Key facts
- The IAEA's board of governors passed a resolution demanding Iran's full cooperation and access to nuclear sites.
- The resolution calls for complete information on Iran's stockpile of near weapons-grade nuclear material.
- Twenty-one of the 35 member states voted in favor, with Russia, China, and Niger opposing.
- Iran has not provided inspectors access to nuclear sites affected by strikes in June 2025.
- Iran possesses 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, a step away from weapons-grade levels.
- The IAEA board previously found Iran in non-compliance in June 2025.
The UN's nuclear watchdog board has demanded that Iran fully cooperate with the agency and provide complete information regarding its stockpile of near weapons-grade nuclear material. The resolution, passed by 21 of the 35 member states on the IAEA's board of governors, also calls for inspectors to be granted access to Iran's nuclear sites. Russia, China, and Niger opposed the resolution, while 10 countries abstained.
This demand comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, following US airstrikes against Iran and retaliatory actions by Tehran. The resolution stresses that cooperation and access are "essential and urgent" for the IAEA to verify that no nuclear material is being diverted. France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States put forward the resolution, aiming to maintain diplomatic pressure on Iran to comply with its legal safeguards obligations.
Iran has not allowed IAEA inspectors access to nuclear sites affected by strikes in June 2025, despite its legal obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The agency has also been unable to verify the status of Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, which IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has warned could be sufficient to build up to 10 nuclear bombs. Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful and not aimed at developing weapons.
The IAEA board previously found Iran in non-compliance with its safeguards agreement in June 2025, marking the first such finding in 20 years. The board also expressed regret over Iran's failure to remedy its non-compliance over the past 12 months. A key issue remains the investigation into uranium traces found at undeclared sites in Iran, for which Iran has not provided credible answers since 2019. The resolution does not currently refer Iran to the UN Security Council for further sanctions, but leaves that option open.