Diplomatic sources told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that Western countries formally submitted a new critical resolution against the Iranian regime to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday, ahead of the agency’s Board of Governors meeting.
Previously, the Iranian regime’s Foreign Minister had warned against submitting a new resolution, stating that such an action “would only complicate the matter further.” According to AFP, Western powers aim to condemn the Iranian regime for its poor cooperation with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog regarding its nuclear program.
Yesterday, Reuters reported that the regime had proposed not to increase its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60%, provided that Western powers refrain from adopting a resolution against the Iranian regime at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting.
According to Reuters, in one of its two confidential reports, the IAEA stated that the Iranian regime has begun preliminary steps to implement this proposal. However, Western diplomats have described the proposal as a last-minute attempt to avoid condemnation, emphasizing that 60% uranium enrichment has no civilian justification and that the Iranian regime could easily resume this process.
The Reuters report also notes that as of October 26, the Iranian regime’s stockpile of enriched uranium had reached 182.3 kilograms, which, according to IAEA standards, is sufficient for the production of four nuclear weapons. This is despite the regime’s consistent denial of seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Reuters states that the IAEA’s second report mentions that the Iranian regime has agreed to consider allowing four new inspectors into the country. However, these inspectors cannot be from those previously barred from operating in Iran.
According to this report, the resolution, submitted by Britain, France, Germany, and the United States, condemns the Iranian regime for insufficient cooperation with the IAEA and calls on the agency to prepare a comprehensive report on the regime’s nuclear activities.
Reuters added that the resolution is highly likely to pass, as only Russia and China traditionally oppose such resolutions.
Reuters emphasized that the purpose of this resolution is to increase pressure on the Iranian regime to return to negotiations and accept new limitations on its nuclear program.
