European powers, along with the United States, have put forth a resolution aimed at censuring Iran due to its inadequate cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), according to diplomatic sources who spoke to AFP on Wednesday. This action coincides with the commencement of an IAEA board meeting in Vienna, where representatives from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. have formally introduced the resolution.
The motion is anticipated to be voted on Thursday, leading to heightened tensions as Iranian officials respond assertively. In a call with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Tehran would issue a “proportionate” response should the resolution pass. Araghchi characterized the censure as a move that contradicts the positive engagements previously established between Iran and the agency, expressing deep concerns about the implications of such a resolution.
Earlier in the day, Araghchi voiced strong condemnation of the initiative, claiming it would only exacerbate ongoing tensions. This action follows Grossi’s recent visit to Iran, during which he inspected key nuclear sites at Fordo and Natanz. Notably, Iran has perceived Grossi’s visit as a step in a constructive direction, as the IAEA has noted some progress from Tehran concerning the halt in the expansion of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, based on a confidential report released prior to the board meeting.
The drive for censure embodies an attempt by Western diplomats to exert increased pressure on Iran to comply with international norms and alleviate long-term concerns regarding its nuclear activities. The resolution explicitly demands IAEA chief Grossi deliver a comprehensive report on Iran’s nuclear program by spring 2025, which will explore Tehran’s cooperation with the agency, particularly regarding uranium traces identified at undeclared sites.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has underscored the urgency of the situation, calling Iran’s advancements in its nuclear program “very worrying” and indicative of significant proliferation risks. The backdrop of this development includes a fraught relationship between Iran and the IAEA that has escalated since the breakdown of the 2015 nuclear agreement, which aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for relief from sanctions. The deal unraveled after the U.S. exited the agreement in 2018 and reinstated severe sanctions, prompting Iran to progressively abandon its commitments under the accord and elevate its uranium enrichment levels to near-weapon-grade levels of 60 percent.
Despite these developments, Tehran maintains that its nuclear ambitions are solely for civilian and peaceful purposes, consistently denying any intent to develop a nuclear weapon. Currently, Iran is reported to be the sole non-nuclear weapon state enriching uranium to this level. The IAEA has noted that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium has ballooned to more than 32 times the limit established under the 2015 agreement, with recent estimates placing this stockpile at approximately 6,604 kilograms as of late October, an increase from preceding reports.
In a recent dialogue with Grossi, Araghchi asserted that Tehran is open to negotiations but will not succumb to external pressures or intimidation. He cautioned that a resolution against Iran could provoke new retaliatory measures in its nuclear program, which he indicated would be unwelcome by international stakeholders. Araghchi’s experience as Iran’s chief negotiator during the 2015 nuclear deal underscores his position as a seasoned diplomat in this complex geopolitical landscape.
