Key facts
- The IAEA board of governors voted to report Iran to the UN Security Council.
- This is the first such referral in 20 years.
- The decision follows Iran's failure to provide satisfactory explanations for uranium particles found at three undeclared sites.
- IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi cited Iran's lack of cooperation as hindering verification of its nuclear program.
- Iran's deputy foreign minister stated the resolution was politically motivated and would achieve nothing.
- Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei stated the IAEA's actions will push countries to exit the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
The UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors has voted to refer Iran to the Security Council for "non-compliance" with its obligations under the non-proliferation treaty, marking the first such move in two decades. The resolution, supported by the US, UK, France, and Germany, passed with 23 votes in favor, eight abstentions, and three votes against from China, Russia, and Niger.
Citing a lack of information on Iran's nuclear material, including its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and insufficient access for inspectors, the IAEA board asked Director General Rafael Grossi to report Iran to the Security Council. Iran has condemned the decision, calling it politically motivated and ineffective. Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated on Thursday that the IAEA's "political moves" will push countries to exit the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Iran maintains its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, a claim questioned by the US, Israel, and several European nations concerned about potential weapons development. According to senior US officials, Iran possessed approximately 440kg of 60% enriched uranium at the start of the latest conflict, material that can be quickly enriched to weapons-grade levels.