The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has referred Iran’s nuclear case to the United Nations Security Council, increasing international pressure on Tehran over its failure to provide answers about its nuclear activities.
The decision was taken by the IAEA Board of Governors on Wednesday, September 9, in a move that marks the first such referral involving them in about 20 years.
The resolution was supported by the United States, Britain, France and Germany. Twenty-three countries voted in favour, while Russia, China and Niger opposed it. Eight countries abstained.
At the centre of the dispute is the IAEA’s investigation into uranium traces discovered at several sites in the country that were not declared to the agency.
The nuclear watchdog has also raised concerns about their stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity. They said its nuclear programme is peaceful, but uranium enriched to that level is considerably closer to weapons-grade material and has remained a major concern for Western governments and nuclear inspectors.
The IAEA had previously estimated that Iran possessed about 440.9 kilogrammes of uranium enriched to 60 per cent.
Iran has strongly rejected the latest move, accusing the nuclear watchdog of taking a political approach to the dispute. Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme is designed for peaceful purposes and denies seeking nuclear weapons.
Relations between Iran and the IAEA have deteriorated further since attacks on their nuclear facilities during the conflict involving Israel and the United States. The attacks forced IAEA inspectors to withdraw from Iran over security concerns, while Tehran subsequently reduced its cooperation with the agency.
The lack of access has made it difficult for the IAEA to fully verify Iran’s nuclear activities and determine the current status of some of its nuclear materials.
The referral to the Security Council does not automatically mean that Iran will face new UN sanctions. Any further action would have to go through the council, where Russia and China, both permanent members, could use their veto powers.
The latest development nevertheless represents a significant diplomatic setback for Tehran and adds another layer of tension to an already volatile Middle East
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The IAEA has continued to insist that it needs access to their nuclear facilities and reliable information about its nuclear material before it can confirm that the country’s programme remains entirely peaceful.
Iran, for its part, says it will continue to defend what it describes as its legitimate right to pursue civilian nuclear activities.
