IAEA Declares Iran in Breach of Nuclear Pact

 

VIENNA, June 13, 2025 – In a landmark move heightening global nuclear tension, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) formally declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in two decades. The censure, backed by Western powers, cites Iran's persistent failure to cooperate fully with inspectors and its growing stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium.

A Damning Verdict

The resolution passed by the IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors in Vienna saw 19 countries vote in favor, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Russia, China, and Burkina Faso voted against, while 11 countries abstained and two did not vote.

 

The text, seen by the BBC, delivers a stark assessment:

• "Deep regret" over Iran's failure to cooperate fully as required by its Safeguards Agreement under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

• Iran's "many failures" since 2019 to provide full and timely cooperation regarding undeclared nuclear material and activities at multiple undeclared locations "constitutes non-compliance".

• As a result, the IAEA is "not able to verify that there has been no diversion of nuclear material" required to be safeguarded.

• This inability to assure Iran's nuclear program is "exclusively peaceful" raises questions within the competence of the UN Security Council.

    The resolution follows last week's critical IAEA report highlighting a "general lack of co-operation" and confirming Iran now possesses enough uranium enriched to 60% purity – close to weapons-grade (90%) – to potentially make nine nuclear bombs if further enriched.

 

Iran's Defiant Response

    Iran reacted swiftly and angrily, condemning the resolution as a "political action" lacking "technical and legal basis." The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) and the Foreign Ministry announced concrete retaliatory measures:

1. New Enrichment Facility: Construction of a new uranium enrichment facility at a "secure location."
2. Advanced Centrifuges: Replacing first-generation centrifuges at the heavily fortified underground Fordo facility with more advanced, efficient sixth-generation machines.
3. Further Steps: Adding ominously, "Other measures are also being planned."

    Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the resolution "adds to the complexities" of ongoing, already fraught talks with the US on reviving a nuclear agreement.

Collapse of the JCPOA and Escalating Breaches

        This crisis stems directly from the collapse of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). That deal, involving Iran, the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China, saw Iran drastically limit its nuclear activities under intense IAEA monitoring in exchange for sanctions relief.

        However, then-President Donald Trump unilaterally abandoned the agreement in 2018 during his first term, reinstating harsh US sanctions and calling the deal insufficient. Since 2019, Iran has progressively breached the JCPOA's limits in retaliation, particularly regarding the production and stockpiling of enriched uranium, arguing the other parties failed to uphold their economic commitments.

 

Path to the Security Council and Western Stance

        The IAEA's declaration opens the door for the issue to be referred to the UN Security Council. European powers have signaled that unless Iran reverses course, they could trigger the "snapback" mechanism later this year, reinstating all UN sanctions lifted under the JCPOA.

        In a joint statement, France, Germany, the UK, and the US framed the Board's action as "creat[ing] an opportunity Iran should seize." They urged Tehran to "finally fulfil its obligations, in full candour, and answer the IAEA's crucial, longstanding questions on undeclared nuclear material and activities."

Mounting Tensions and the Shadow of Conflict
        

        The IAEA censure occurs against a backdrop of dangerously escalating regional tensions:

• Trump's Hardline Demands: Now back in office, President Trump insists any new deal must see Iran end uranium enrichment entirely, calling it the only way to prevent a bomb. He has repeatedly threatened military action, stating this week he was growing "less confident" of a deal. Iranian negotiators flatly refuse to stop enrichment, calling it a "non-negotiable" right.

• Israeli Pressure: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, viewing a nuclear Iran as an existential threat, advocates forcefully for military strikes over diplomacy. Reports suggest Israel is readying potential strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Trump reportedly held a tense call with Netanyahu earlier this week.

• Iranian Threats: Iran's Defence Minister responded to the heightened rhetoric, warning that any attack on Iran would be met by targeting "all US military bases within our reach."

• Regional Alert: The US has advised non-essential staff to leave some of its embassies in the region, reflecting concerns over potential imminent conflict.

        The sixth round of US-Iran talks is scheduled for this Sunday in Oman, but the atmosphere is now even more poisoned. Iran's announcement of new enrichment capabilities directly challenges the international community and pours fuel on the fire of Trump's threats.

        The IAEA's unprecedented declaration marks a critical juncture. It formally acknowledges the grave deficiencies in verifying Iran's nuclear intentions and significantly raises the stakes. With Iran defiantly escalating its program, Western powers moving towards potential snapback sanctions, and military threats echoing from Washington, Tel Aviv, and Tehran, the risk of a major confrontation over Iran's nuclear ambitions is now higher than it has been in years. The world watches nervously to see if diplomacy can still prevail or if the region is hurtling towards conflict.

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