IAEA board demands Iran disclose uranium stock
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- IAEA board passed a US‑backed resolution demanding Iran provide complete information on its enriched uranium stocks and grant inspectors access to verify them.
- United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany submitted the resolution, which was adopted with 21 votes in favour while Russia, China and Niger voted against and ten countries abstained.
- IAEA estimates Iran possessed 440 kg of uranium enriched to 60 % – near weapons‑grade – at the time of the June 2023 Israeli‑US strikes on Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
- Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA after those strikes, and inspectors have not seen the material since.
- Reza Najafi – Iran’s UN ambassador in Vienna – called the resolution “counterproductive,” “politically motivated” and “legally flawed,” warning it could complicate cease‑fire negotiations.
- Kazem Gharibabadi – Iran’s deputy foreign minister – said the resolution attempts to shift blame for the US‑Israeli attacks onto Tehran, calling it a reversal of responsibility.
- United States and Iran are currently negotiating to extend the cease‑fire and discuss broader issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.
Why it matters: The resolution forces Iran to reveal its near‑weapons‑grade uranium stock, giving the United States and its allies concrete leverage in the stalled cease‑fire talks, while Tehran argues the demand undermines negotiations and could stall any broader settlement on its nuclear programme.
