IAEA Declares Iran in Breach of Nuclear Obligations Amid Rising Tensions and U.S. Skepticism
In a landmark resolution, the IAEA cites Iran for non-compliance over unexplained uranium traces and obstruction of inspections, prompting Iranian countermeasures and intensifying diplomatic and regional volatility
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty meets with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi in Cairo, Egypt, June 2, 2025.. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors has passed a resolution declaring Iran in violation of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations, citing its failure to explain uranium traces found at several undeclared sites. The resolution passed with 19 votes in favor, 11 abstentions, and three against — Russia, China, and Burkina Faso.
According to Reuters and AP, this marks the first such resolution since 2022 and the first formal breach declaration since 2005. The resolution urges Iran to provide “technically credible answers” regarding uranium traces discovered at sites including Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Turquzabad, where the IAEA has raised suspicions of undeclared nuclear activity. The agency also accused Iran of obstructing verification efforts by sanitizing sites and providing false explanations.
In response, Iran announced immediate countermeasures. Iranian state media, cited by Ynet, announced that Tehran plans to begin constructing a new enrichment facility and upgrade its centrifuges at Fordow to advanced IR-6 models. Iran's atomic energy spokesperson, Behrouz Kamalvandi, claimed the moves are within its legal rights and consistent with the peaceful nature of its nuclear program.
Iran also criticized the IAEA resolution as politically motivated and warned of further steps if the agency continued what it described as "unfair pressure." Meanwhile, military drills were launched in parallel, signaling heightened tensions in the region, according to The Jerusalem Post.
The IAEA’s confidential report, cited by AP, indicated that Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium had increased by roughly 50%, now totaling over 400 kilograms — an amount sufficient for one nuclear bomb if enriched further. The agency labeled the situation “a serious concern.”
Diplomatically, the resolution opens the door for possible referral to the UN Security Council, although such a step would require a separate vote. The development also casts a shadow over ongoing indirect U.S.-Iran talks hosted in Oman, aimed at reviving nuclear negotiations disrupted since the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 deal in 2018.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi also criticized Iran for allegedly gaining unauthorized access to confidential agency reports, undermining trust between Tehran and the watchdog. Iran dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Yesterday (Wednesday), US President Donald Trump expressed diminishing confidence in securing a renewed nuclear agreement with Iran to curb its uranium enrichment, telling the "Pod Force One" podcast that he’s increasingly skeptical and suspects Tehran is employing stalling tactics. He reiterated that Washington won’t allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, though he prefers a diplomatic resolution over military action.
Reuters reports that Trump described discussions with Iranian officials as “tough,” noted consultations with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and reaffirmed that the U.S. remains committed to prevention. Meanwhile, Israeli press reports that Israel has completed preparations to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, and might to this without US assistance.