IAEA warns over Iran nuclear access as Western powers push UN referral

The International Atomic Energy Agency has raised alarm about its inability to monitor Iran's nuclear activities, citing the loss of access to key facilities for more than a year following military strikes. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi informed the agency's governing board that Tehran had provided no updates on its declared nuclear material status during the recent reporting period, and inspectors were unable to conduct required on-site inspections.

France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States are now seeking board support for a resolution that would escalate the matter to the UN Security Council, a step not pursued for two decades. The proposed measure would require Grossi to transmit the resolution and his latest findings to both the Security Council and General Assembly, while calling on Iran to restore access and provide necessary information to inspectors.

Iran's Foreign Ministry dismissed the initiative as a coordinated effort by Western governments pursuing objectives through the IAEA after encountering setbacks elsewhere. Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei argued that the inspection challenges stem directly from the June 2025 attacks on Iranian facilities and that it was illogical for the attacking nations to hold Tehran responsible for the resulting access gaps. He signaled that Iran would respond with unspecified countermeasures if the Western powers proceeded with their resolution.

The draft resolution remains under negotiation and has not yet been formally presented to the board. Passage at the IAEA board would not guarantee action, as Russia and China, both permanent Security Council members, could block any punitive measures through their veto authority. The standoff underscores the deep divisions among major powers over how to address Iranian nuclear concerns and the broader geopolitical tensions affecting international nuclear oversight mechanisms.