IAEA Board of Governors Approves Resolution Against Islamic Republic

The IAEA Board of Governors approved a proposed resolution by three European countries and the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday, June 12, corresponding to Khordad 22, approved a proposed resolution by three European countries and the United States regarding Iran’s non-compliance with safeguard obligations in the nuclear field.

The IAEA Board of Governors stated in the text of the resolution: “Iran, following multiple failures since 2019 to cooperate fully and in a timely manner with the Agency regarding undeclared nuclear materials and activities at several undeclared locations, has not fulfilled its safeguard obligations under its agreement with the Agency, which constitutes a violation of its commitments.”

Among the member countries of the Board of Governors, 19 countries voted in favor of the resolution, Russia, China, and Burkina Faso voted against, 11 countries abstained, and two countries did not vote. It is worth noting that over the past 20 years, this is the first time a resolution against Iran has been approved by the IAEA Board of Governors.

Through this resolution, Iran is obligated to respond as soon as possible to questions regarding uranium particles discovered at several locations that Tehran has not declared to the Agency as nuclear sites. Prior to the approval of the resolution, Iran had announced that in case of its approval, it would respond to any resolution by the Board of Governors with technical and non-technical measures.

On June 9, corresponding to Khordad 19, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency reported to the Board of Governors that Iran is not providing valid and acceptable technical responses to the Agency’s questions regarding particles discovered at its undeclared locations. According to Western officials, uranium particles discovered at the Varamin, Turquzabad, and Lavisan-Shian sites are evidence that Iran had a covert nuclear weapons program until 2003.

Rafael Grossi stated: “The Agency found uranium particles in three undeclared Iranian locations in Varamin, Marivan, and Turquzabad in 2019 and 2020, and since then we have been seeking clarifications and transparency from Tehran in this regard. Unfortunately, Iran either has not responded or has not provided valid and acceptable technical responses to the Agency’s questions. Additionally, it has attempted to sanitize these locations, which has impeded the Agency’s verification activities.”

Immediately after the approval of the resolution on the same day, Iran’s Foreign Ministry and Atomic Energy Organization released a statement condemning the actions of the United States and European countries in approving the resolution, describing it as instrumental misuse of the IAEA Board of Governors based on political motives without technical and legal grounds.

The statement read: “In response to this political resolution, the Islamic Republic has issued orders for establishing a new enrichment center at a safe location, replacing first-generation machines at the Shahid Dr. Ahmadi-Roshan (Fordow) enrichment center with advanced sixth-generation machines.”

The approval of the resolution took place as the sixth round of negotiations between the United States and Iran regarding the nuclear program is scheduled for Sunday, June 15, corresponding to Khordad 25, in Oman. Despite planning for the sixth round of talks, the U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that it is reducing the number of non-essential personnel at its embassy in Iraq due to security concerns.

Under the “safeguard obligations” which are part of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Iran is obligated to declare all its nuclear materials and activities and permit inspections by inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure that none of these materials and activities are diverted from peaceful purposes.

It is worth noting that the Security Council also intends to hold a meeting regarding Iran’s nuclear program.