The International Atomic Energy Agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors has referred Iran to the UN Security Council. Diplomats said the decision marks the first such referral in 20 years. The resolution concerns Iran’s reported breaches of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. It follows a June 12, 2025 resolution that found Iran in “non-compliance” with those obligations.
IAEA Resolution Escalates Iran Dispute
The latest resolution passed with 23 votes in favour, three against and eight abstentions. Russia, China and Niger voted against the measure.
The United States, Britain, France and Germany proposed the resolution. It directs IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to report the matter to the Security Council and UN General Assembly. However, Russia and China hold permanent seats on the Security Council. Therefore, concrete action against Iran could face significant obstacles.
Iran warned earlier that it would retaliate if the resolution passed.
Iran’s mission to the IAEA later criticised the decision. It described the resolution as political and blamed the current situation on US and Israeli military actions.
“The delusional objective of the US to force the great Iranian nation into ‘surrender’ and to plunder its oil will never happen,” it said.
IAEA Raises Concerns Over Iran’s Nuclear Sites
The original non-compliance finding predates the recent US-Israeli attacks. It focused on Iran’s failure to explain uranium traces found at undeclared sites. However, the latest dispute also involves IAEA access to nuclear facilities damaged during the strikes.
Iran has not allowed inspectors to return to several bombed sites. These include three major uranium-enrichment facilities. Tehran has also not accounted for its enriched uranium stockpile. Some of the material had reached 60% enrichment.
Grossi described the lack of information and verification access as a “serious proliferation concern.”
The IAEA estimated that Iran held 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% before the attacks. According to the agency’s yardstick, further enrichment could produce enough material for about 10 nuclear weapons.
The latest resolution also references previous IAEA decisions from June 2025 and June 2026 concerning Iran’s nuclear activities and enriched uranium stocks.
