Tehran, Iran – Iran is currently advocating for a resolution aimed at prohibiting attacks on nuclear installations within the framework of the United Nations’ atomic energy oversight body. This initiative comes in light of the recent hostilities, particularly from the United States and Israel, during a 12-day conflict in June, which prompted the nation’s Supreme National Security Council to support a resumption of nuclear inspections.
In preparation for the 69th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) taking place in Vienna, Iranian officials have arrived in the Austrian capital. The conference, running from Monday to Friday, offers a platform for Iran to bring attention to issues regarding the IAEA’s credibility, particularly concerning the organization’s Director General, Rafael Grossi. Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), expressed concerns over what he characterized as a lack of professional conduct within the agency, noting that it failed to condemn attacks on Iran while publicly addressing similar incidents in Ukraine.
Iran is preparing to present a resolution that condemns any assaults on nuclear facilities, although the specific language of the proposed document has not been disclosed. Negotiations with other member states are anticipated, though Iranian officials acknowledge the possibility that the resolution may not be put to a vote. Behrouz Kamalvandi, Iran’s deputy nuclear chief, indicated that there is significant pressure from the United States on other member states to stymie this initiative, including threats of reducing financial support to the agency.
Despite these challenges, Kamalvandi underscored that precedents exist for such resolutions, citing UNSC Resolution 487 from 1981, which condemned Israeli air strikes on Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor. He also referred to previous IAEA General Conference resolutions advocating for the protection of safeguarded nuclear facilities.
Since the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement during the Trump administration and the subsequent imposition of sanctions, Iran’s nuclear program has been under scrutiny. However, both intelligence assessments and statements from the IAEA have confirmed that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons. The recent hostilities, which began on June 13, coincided with a report from the IAEA indicating Iran’s noncompliance with nuclear safeguards, leading Tehran to assert that the agency’s stance contributed to military escalation.
In a separate development, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reached a pivotal agreement with the IAEA in Cairo to restart inspections at all nuclear facilities affected by recent bombings. This agreement, sanctioned by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, highlights the complexity of the inspections process, particularly regarding the military and civilian dimensions of the nation’s nuclear aspirations.
As negotiations move forward, the council has indicated that any possible hostile actions against Iran could halt current arrangements with the IAEA, particularly concerning the extensive safety assessments required prior to any inspections of the bombed sites. Moving forward, Iran remains resolute in its pursuit of a cooperative path while firmly advocating for the protection of its nuclear assets against external aggressions.
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