At the UN Nuclear meeting, many European nations like Britain, France, and Germany sought Iran’s condemnation at the board meeting on Monday, despite the US’s opposition.
As per International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran is the only non-nuclear country, which possess 60% of uranium. It still accumulating large uranium stockpiles.
Further, it has already enriched 90% of uranium, which is more than needed for atomic weapons.
However, Iran has denied, that they want to acquire nuclear weapons. But their quick expansion of nuclear programme holds ‘credible civilian justification’ said one anonymous diplomat.
As further revealed by diplomats, this motion against Iran was mainly driven with an intention of “urgency to react to the gravity of the situation”.
Earlier, the IAEA passed resolution of its kind in november 2022.
But despite Iran’s ramp up of its nuclear programme, the board of IAEA, has still refrained itself from issuing condemnation.
In the last meeting, european nations had earlier shelved its plans to confront Iran due to lack of Washington’s support.
However, United states has refuted the allegations, it is pulling down european efforts in holding Tehran accountable, but Washington believes, this condemnation might enhance middle east tensions before upcoming presidential election.
IAEA-IRAN Relations
But in recent years, cooperation between Iran and the IAEA, has significantly worsened, as the nuclear watchdog in unable to get proper assurance, that Iran’s nuclear is for peaceful purposes.
As per many diplomats, maintaining inaction against Iran’s escalation is no longer viable and the position of USA might change ahead of upcoming elections this week.
IAEA head Rafael Grossi has visited Iran for improvement cooperation and to get concrete results.
But with Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi’s death, due to helicopter crash, it has effectively halted negotiations whatsoever.
It is believed by diplomats, that Iran is using Raisi’s death as an excuse to stall the negotiations.
As the draft resolution allegedly covers all contentious points.
According to this draft, it is “essential and urgent” for Iran to give “technically credible explanations” for uranium particles presence, which were found at country’s undeclared locations.
Also, Iran should revoke its designation withdrawal of several agencies’ inspectors and connect cameras to monitor nuclear activities.
The draft has also taken concerns regarding Iran’s recent public statements over its technical capabilities to produce nuclear weapons and making possible changes in their nuclear doctrine.
Iran Breaking 2015 Nuclear Deal
In 2015, Iran has gradually withdrawn from its commitments under the nuclear deal, which it had agreed with United States, China, Russia, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
In this deal, Iran was offered sanctions relief in return for its curbs on nuclear programme.
But eventually, this deal got broken due to unliteral withdrawal of former US president Donald Trump in 2018.
So far, the revival of the deal has been unsuccessful.
Currently, USA is now hesitant to approve resolution related to Tehran, as the latter has threatened to double its nuclear activities.
But at the same time, USA doesn’t want to deteriorate its relations with its european allies.
As a result, IAEA meeting is likely to be ‘turbulent one’, cautioned Russian ambassador to international organisations Mikhail Ulyanov.
However, Ulyanov hopes, that no anti-Iranian resolution will be tabled, as it can further deteriorate the situation.
