By Pishtaz | 2024-11-24

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors on November 21 passed a resolution that censures the Iranian regime for its poor cooperation with the global nuclear watchdog.

The Iranian regime quickly announced it would launch a series of "new and advanced" centrifuges in response.

The censure motion brought by Britain, France, Germany and the United States at the IAEA's 35-nation board follows a similar one in June.

China, Russia and Burkina Faso voted against the resolution, which was carried by 19 votes in favor, with 12 abstentions and Venezuela not participating, two diplomats told AFP.

In recent years, Tehran has cut cooperation with the IAEA by ramping up its nuclear activities, deactivating surveillance devices to monitor the nuclear program, and barring UN inspectors.

In June 2022 it was rebuked for removing 27 surveillance cameras at nuclear facilities, in a move IAEA head Rafael Grossi described as a "serious challenge" to watchdog's work in the country.

The new move comes as concerns over the rapid expansion of the Iranian regime's nuclear program heightened fears it may be seeking to develop a nuclear weapon -- which it has consistently denied.

According to the IAEA, Tehran is the only non-nuclear weapon state to enrich uranium to 60%, a short step from the 90% level needed for atomic weapons.

Call for comprehensive report

According to a confidential draft of the censure seen by AFP, the new resolution asks for IAEA head Rafael Grossi to issue a "comprehensive report" on Iran's nuclear efforts "at the latest" by spring 2025.

The report would seek to shed more light on the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities, including "a full account" of its cooperation with the IAEA on uranium traces found at undeclared sites.

Grossi paid a recent visit to Tehran, where he held talks with President Masoud Pezeshkian and other high-ranking officials and toured the Natanz and Fordo uranium enrichment plants in central Iran.

During the visit, the Iranian regime agreed to an IAEA demand to cap its stock of near weapons-grade uranium enriched up to 60% purity.

"This is a concrete step in the right direction," Grossi said November 20, saying it was "the first time" Iran had made such a commitment since it started breaking away from its obligations under the nuclear deal.

But some remained skeptical about the Iranian regime's overtures.

"Grossi's visit to Tehran was... too little and too late to stave off a censure from the board," Arms Control Association expert Kelsey Davenport told AFP.

His visit was "a missed opportunity for Pezeshkian to demonstrate that he is serious about de-escalation," she said.