The U.N. nuclear watchdog's board has censured Iran for failing to fully cooperate with the agency, calling on Tehran to provide answers in an ongoing investigation and reverse its decision to bar several experienced U.N. inspectors. The censure comes after a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, escalating tensions with the international community.
The 35-member board at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna voted on a resolution put forward by France, Germany, and Britain, with 20 members in favor, Russia and China opposing, 12 abstaining, and one not voting. While censure resolutions are not legally binding, they send a strong political message.
The resolution calls on Iran to implement a joint statement with the IAEA from March 2023, addressing unresolved issues at sites where inspectors suspect undeclared nuclear activity. The IAEA has identified two sites near Tehran, Turquzabad and Varamin, as sources of concern, with questions remaining about processed uranium and isotopically altered particles.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful, but the West and the IAEA have raised doubts, citing past military nuclear activities. The resolution warns of a comprehensive assessment by the IAEA if Iran fails to provide full cooperation in resolving outstanding questions.
Iran's response to the censure did not include threats to expand its nuclear program, despite previous indications. The country has enough highly enriched uranium to produce atomic bombs, though it would require time to complete such weapons. In past instances of censure, Iran retaliated by enriching uranium to higher purities and restricting IAEA monitoring.
Under a 2015 agreement, Iran agreed to limit uranium enrichment for nuclear power in exchange for sanctions relief. However, tensions have risen since the U.S. withdrawal from the deal in 2018, leading Iran to disregard its commitments and increase enrichment activities.
