The International Atomic Energy Agency’s board of governors has formally determined that Iran is not complying with its nuclear obligations, marking the first such finding in two decades and prompting Iran to announce plans for a new enrichment facility.
The board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday officially found that Iran is not in compliance with its nuclear obligations, the first such declaration in 20 years. The decision has the potential to increase tensions and could set the stage for renewed United Nations sanctions against Tehran later this year.
In immediate response, Iran announced it will establish a new enrichment facility “in a secure location.” The statement added, “Other measures are also being planned and will be announced subsequently.”
According to diplomats familiar with the outcome of the closed-door vote, nineteen countries on the IAEA board supported the resolution. Russia, China, and Burkina Faso opposed it, eleven countries abstained, and two did not vote.
The draft resolution, as seen by media outlets, calls on Iran to provide answers “without delay” in an ongoing investigation into uranium traces discovered at several locations not declared as nuclear sites. Western officials suspect these uranium traces may indicate Iran had a secret nuclear weapons program until 2003.
The resolution was put forward by France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
