19 Out of 35 Countries Vote in Favor
Iran Announces Retaliatory Measures Including Expanded Uranium Enrichment
The United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors adopted a resolution on June 12 (local time) stating that Iran has failed to fulfill its obligations for nuclear inspections and verification under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
According to the Associated Press and other sources, the regular IAEA Board of Governors meeting held in Vienna, Austria, passed a resolution stating that Iran did not fulfill its obligations under the Safeguards Agreement. This is the first time in 20 years, since the nuclear crisis escalated in 2005, that the IAEA has officially resolved that Iran violated the Safeguards Agreement. Under the NPT regime, non-nuclear-weapon states are required to sign a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) with the IAEA.
This resolution was jointly submitted by France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. Of the 35 board members, 19 countries voted in favor, 3 opposed, and 11 abstained. The countries that voted against were Russia, China, and Burkina Faso, while 2 countries did not participate in the vote.
The resolution states, "Since 2019, Iran has not provided the IAEA with prompt and full cooperation regarding several undeclared nuclear materials and activities," and specifies that "this constitutes a violation of Iran's obligations under the Safeguards Agreement pursuant to the NPT."
Reuters analyzed that the main issue is Iran's failure to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding man-made uranium particles detected at three sites suspected of being nuclear facilities. Man-made uranium is an isotope of uranium that does not occur in nature and can only be produced by bombarding natural uranium with thermal neutrons.
Previously, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated at the Board of Governors meeting on June 9 that "Iran was found not to have declared nuclear materials and related activities at three locations: Varamin, Marivan, and Turquzabad."
Director General Grossi also pointed out that "the IAEA requested explanations regarding these facilities, but Iran did not respond sincerely and, in fact, interfered with the IAEA's verification activities, including attempts to delete related information."
In this resolution, the IAEA stated that "Iran has failed to provide credible assurances that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful," and that "this issue has now become a matter that may fall under the jurisdiction of the United Nations Security Council."
However, a separate second resolution is required to refer the matter to the Security Council. The Security Council may decide on economic and diplomatic sanctions against countries that violate the Safeguards Agreement, but there are expectations that permanent members Russia and China are likely to oppose such measures. The IAEA itself can suspend the country's membership or halt technical support for peaceful nuclear activities.
The IAEA had previously adopted a resolution in September 2005 regarding Iran's non-fulfillment of nuclear obligations, and in February 2006, passed a resolution calling for the matter to be referred to the Security Council.
Iran immediately protested the adoption of this resolution. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran stated in a release that, "In response to this politically motivated resolution, we will construct new enrichment facilities in undisclosed, highly secure locations and operate additional advanced centrifuges," adding that "as a result, the production of enriched uranium will increase significantly."
Currently, the United States and Iran are continuing unofficial contacts mediated by Oman. The resolution also states that it "supports a diplomatic approach to resolving the Iranian nuclear issue and the resumption of negotiations between the United States and Iran."
Oman, which is mediating the nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, announced that talks will be held in its capital, Muscat, on the 15th. The main agenda for the sixth round of talks is expected to be the first official proposal recently presented by the United States and Iran's response to it. While the specific details of each side's proposals have not been disclosed, whether Iran will be allowed to enrich uranium remains the key issue.
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