IAEA Board Demands Iran’s Full Cooperation on Nuclear Program

The U.N. atomic watchdog’s board has pressed Iran to fully engage with the agency by providing complete information on its near weapons-grade nuclear material. The board also insists on granting inspectors access to Iranian nuclear sites.

A resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors has labeled information sharing and access as ‘essential and urgent’ for verifying the absence of nuclear material diversion. The resolution was supported by 21 of the 35 board members, with Russia, China, and Niger voting against it, while 10 countries abstained. One country did not vote due to unpaid dues.

France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States presented the resolution. A senior Western diplomat, speaking anonymously, stated that its aim is to maintain diplomatic pressure on Iran to meet its legal obligations under safeguards.

The resolution’s timing coincides with strained Middle East relations. The U.S. launched airstrikes against Iranian targets, leading to Iranian retaliation. The tension threatens efforts to conclude ongoing conflicts. U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran could face consequences for hindering peace talks.

Since the U.S. and Israel targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities in June 2025 during a 12-day conflict, Iran has restricted IAEA inspectors’ access, despite obligations under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. The agency cannot verify Iran’s status regarding its uranium stockpile, enriched up to 60% purity.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated Iran’s 440.9 kilograms of enriched uranium could construct up to 10 nuclear bombs, though it does not signal an actual weapon. Iran insists its nuclear endeavors are peaceful.

Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA, Reza Najafi, criticized the resolution, arguing it overlooks Iran’s cooperation and current security challenges. He affirmed that Iran had allowed access to unaffected sites, accusing the resolution of ignoring Iran’s cooperation, even during hostilities.

The resolution expressed regret over Iran’s noncompliance with nonproliferation obligations over the past year. It highlighted Iran’s formal finding of noncompliance by the IAEA board last June, prior to the joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on its nuclear sites.

The IAEA continues investigating uranium traces found at undeclared Iranian facilities, with Iran yet to provide credible explanations regarding the materials’ origin. Western officials suspect undisclosed nuclear weapons activity prior to 2003.

The resolution stopped short of recommending U.N. Security Council sanctions. Instead, it suggests readiness for further action, including referring a noncompliance report to the Security Council.

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