Iran criticises UN nuclear watchdog resolution, calls it ‘unwise’

Iran has condemned a decision by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors to pass a resolution criticising Tehran as ‘hasty and unwise’, Iranian State TV reported.

The UN nuclear watchdog’s 35-nation board of governors passed a resolution on Wednesday (June 5) calling on Iran to cooperate with it.

“The decision of the Western countries was quick and hasty, and it will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the course of diplomatic engagement and constructive cooperation between Iran and the opposing parties,” state TV cited Iran’s mission to the United Nations as saying.

Britain, France and Germany led the motion at the IAEA board, the first since November 2022, urging Iran to cooperate. However, China and Russia opposed.

The move comes amid an impasse over Iran’s escalating nuclear activities and as Western powers fear Tehran may be seeking to develop a nuclear weapon, a claim Iran has consistently denied.

The resolution passed with 20 votes in favour – including the United States, which initially was reluctant for fear of aggravating Middle East tensions – with 12 abstention and one country not participating, reported AFP news agency.

The censure motion aims to raise diplomatic pressure on Iran, with the option to potentially refer the issue to the UN Security Council.

Iran preemptively condemned the censure motion as lacking legal, technical, and political merit, threatening a strong response.

In the past, similar resolutions have provoked Tehran to retaliate by removing surveillance cameras and other equipment from its nuclear facilities and ratcheting up its uranium enrichment activities.

The IAEA has said that Tehran has significantly ramped up its nuclear programme and now has enough material to build several atomic bombs.

‘Strong and renewed message’

As per the IAEA, Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state to enrich uranium to the high level of 60 percent – just short of weapons-grade – while it keeps accumulating large uranium stockpiles.

In a statement, Britain, France, and Germany (E3) emphasised the resolution's strong message backing the IAEA's efforts. They warned Iran that the international community will not tolerate actions that threaten the non-proliferation system and undermine safeguards designed to prevent nuclear proliferation.

“We hope Iran takes this chance to resolve these matters so that no further Board action is necessary.”

However, Iran has gradually broken away from its promises under the nuclear deal it struck with world powers in 2015.

The landmark deal provided Iran with relief from Western sanctions in exchange for curbs on its atomic programme, but it fell apart after the unilateral withdrawal of the US under then-President Donald Trump in 2018.

Efforts to revive the deal have so far failed.

Iran, along with Russia and China, in a joint statement urged Western countries to show political will and take the necessary action to resume the implementation of the 2015 deal, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.

But the US rejected that claims, saying Iran refused an agreement when it was probable and “continued with activities that negated the chance for that deal, and now making baseless statements.

(With inputs from agencies)