Condemnation of the Islamic Republic in the IAEA Board of Governors Resolution

On Thursday, November 22, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) condemned the Iranian government's lack of cooperation with this United Nations nuclear oversight body and its secrecy regarding the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities by passing a resolution. The three European countries, Britain, France, and Germany, presented this resolution, which was approved by a majority of the 35-member body, calling on Tehran to take 'necessary and urgent actions' to resolve safeguards issues and to cooperate immediately with the Board of Governors. The resolution demands that the Islamic Republic provide credible explanations regarding 'human-origin uranium particles found at two undeclared sites in Iran' and inform the Agency about the current locations of nuclear materials or contaminated equipment. The resolution also requests that the Iranian government provide 'the necessary information, documents, and responses required by the International Atomic Energy Agency' and facilitate access to the locations and materials needed by the inspectors of this UN oversight body. The IAEA Board of Governors deemed it essential for the Agency's secretariat to obtain this information and access from Tehran and to conduct subsequent verifications based on the NPT agreement. The resolution was proposed and drafted by Germany, Britain, and France, and was approved with the support of the United States, receiving 19 votes in favor, 12 abstentions, and 3 votes against. China, Russia, and Burkina Faso voted against it. This is the second resolution from the Board of Governors against the Islamic Republic of Iran in the past six months. On Friday, the Islamic Republic announced that the head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization had ordered the implementation of some 'effective measures,' including the launch of a series of new and advanced centrifuges. The Iranian Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization issued a joint statement accusing the Board of Governors of adopting a 'politically motivated, unrealistic, and destructive approach,' claiming that this action has undermined the positive atmosphere and the agreements achieved, which is why the order to launch a series of new and advanced centrifuges was issued. The Islamic Republic has also stated that it will continue its 'technical and safeguard' cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The European Troika stated that Iran's 'nuclear behavior' threatens international security. Exclusive: The U.S. State Department stated that the Islamic Republic is not on the right track with its nuclear program. Following the new resolution presented to the Board of Governors, a phone conversation took place between Araqchi and Grossi. The Islamic Republic warned Europe about issuing a 'resolution' against Tehran. Diplomatic sources indicated that a new resolution against the Islamic Republic's nuclear program has been presented. Last-minute efforts by the Islamic Republic to prevent the IAEA resolution.