The UN nuclear watchdog’s board of governors on Thursday found Iran in noncompliance with its nuclear obligations — a move that prompted Tehran to announce it will install more advanced centrifuges and construct a new enrichment facility.
The diplomatic standoff further deepens regional tensions as progress between the US and Iran to reach an agreement appears to have stalled and as Israel threatens to attack Iran with or without the help of Washington. A sixth round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran is still scheduled for Sunday.
In a 19-3 decision led by the US and European nations, countries on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) board of governors voted to censure Iran for noncompliance with its safeguard rules for the first time in 20 years. There were 11 abstentions, showing a divided vote. Russia, China and Burkina Faso voted against it.
The resolution relates to undeclared nuclear material and activities at multiple undeclared locations as part of a long-running IAEA investigation. The resolution stated the IAEA was “not able to verify that there has been no diversion of nuclear material required to be safeguarded under the Agreement to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.”
