Western Powers Prepare to Push U.N. IAEA to Declare Iran in Breach of Non-Proliferation Obligations

 
Western Powers Prepare to Push U.N. IAEA to Declare Iran in Breach of Non-Proliferation Obligations

Western nations are gearing up to urge the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors to formally declare Iran in breach of its nuclear non-proliferation commitments during the upcoming quarterly meeting, scheduled to start on June 9. This would be the first such declaration in nearly 20 years and is expected to escalate tensions with Tehran.

The move is likely to complicate ongoing negotiations between the U.S., led by President Donald Trump, and Iran over limiting Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. and its European allies—Britain, France, and Germany—are preparing a draft resolution accusing Iran of violating safeguards agreements, based on findings that Iran has not fully disclosed uranium traces at undeclared sites.

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The last time Iran was formally declared in breach was in September 2005, leading to referrals to the U.N. Security Council and subsequent sanctions. Currently, Iran denies possessing a nuclear weapons program and claims its nuclear activities are peaceful, but the IAEA reports indicate Iran has enriched uranium up to 60%, close to weapons-grade levels.

Diplomats say the board's current move aims to pressure Iran further, potentially leading to Security Council referrals, though it remains unclear when or if that step will happen. Iran has warned it will respond to such resolutions by expanding its nuclear activities, including enriching uranium further.