The US and European Powers Seek to Issue a Resolution Against the Islamic Republic

Following the International Atomic Energy Agency's criticisms regarding the Islamic Republic's lack of cooperation, Western countries, supported by the US, are seeking to increase pressure on the Iranian government. On Tuesday, November 29, AFP reported, citing diplomats, that Britain, France, and Germany, with US backing, intend to issue a new resolution against the Iranian government at this week's Board of Governors meeting of the Agency. Diplomats have mentioned that the aim of these pressures is to elicit cooperation from the Islamic Republic to address the Agency's concerns regarding the government's nuclear activities. The Board of Governors meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is set to begin on Wednesday, November 30, follows the recent visit of Rafael Grossi, the Agency's Director General, to Iran and his inspection of two nuclear sites of the Islamic Republic. While tensions between the Iranian government and the Agency have steadily escalated in recent years, the rapid expansion of the Islamic Republic's nuclear program has fueled concerns about Tehran's intentions to produce nuclear weapons. In recent years, the Islamic Republic has reduced its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and intensified its nuclear activities, disabling the Agency's monitoring equipment over its nuclear program and obstructing the presence of Agency inspectors. On September 8, the International Atomic Energy Agency announced in a confidential report that the Islamic Republic of Iran has increased its enriched uranium stockpiles to levels 'close to weapons-grade' in defiance of international demands. According to experts, increasing the purity of enriched uranium from 60% to weapons-grade 90% requires only 'a short and technical step.' The Guardian also recently reported, citing its sources, that Britain and the US have expressed concern over the potential exchange of nuclear technology and knowledge from Russia in exchange for ballistic missiles from the Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic has consistently emphasized the peaceful nature of its nuclear program and stated that it does not intend to produce nuclear weapons.