Europe's Efforts to Pass a Resolution Against the Islamic Republic at the International Atomic Energy Agency

Informed diplomats say that European powers intend to pressure Tehran by passing a resolution against the Islamic Republic next week due to its weak cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This move comes as Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election has made countering the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities a priority for the upcoming U.S. administration. The resolution is being proposed in light of increased nuclear activities and the obstruction of IAEA inspectors' visits to Iran, raising Western concerns about the Islamic Republic's true objectives. The resolution would require the IAEA to publish a 'comprehensive report' on the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities in addition to its regular quarterly reports. This comprehensive report would include more details and focus on problematic areas, such as Tehran's lack of precise explanations regarding uranium traces at undeclared sites in Iran. The aim of passing this resolution is to compel the Islamic Republic to return to negotiations to agree on limiting its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. In the previous nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic, known as the JCPOA, which Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018, Tehran agreed to reduce its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of some economic sanctions. A European diplomat emphasized the necessity for Western powers, especially Germany and Britain, to request the IAEA to prepare a comprehensive report on the Iranian government's activities, given the challenges posed by the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. Efforts to reach a new agreement with the Islamic Republic were underway before the complete expiration of the JCPOA in October of next year, assuming Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party candidate, wins the U.S. presidential election. With Donald Trump's victory and his return to the White House, and considering past records, efforts to reach a new nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic have accelerated. Diplomats say that the U.S. is not the driving force behind the new resolution against Tehran but is expected to support European powers' efforts in this regard. Meanwhile, Rafael Grossi, the IAEA Director General, insists on continuing negotiations to resolve existing issues with the Iranian government and is not in favor of punitive actions or the preparation of a comprehensive report. Grossi arrived in Tehran on Wednesday for discussions and his first meeting with Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of the Islamic Republic government, hoping to persuade the Iranian government to break the long-standing deadlock in nuclear negotiations.