IAEA condemns Iran over nuclear cooperation as tensions mount

The U.N. nuclear watchdog on Thursday condemned Iran for failing to cooperate fully with its investigations into undeclared nuclear activities, marking the second such rebuke in five months.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution demands answers from Tehran regarding uranium traces found at two undisclosed sites—Varamin and Turquzabad—heightening international tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.

The resolution, backed by France, Germany, and Britain with U.S. support, passed with 19 votes in favor. Russia, China, and Burkina Faso opposed it, while 12 nations abstained. Diplomats have warned that Iran’s continued defiance could lead to further sanctions or a referral to the U.N. Security Council.

In a report released earlier this week, the IAEA revealed that Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity—a short technical step from weapons-grade—has surged to 182.3 kilograms as of late October, an increase of 17.6 kilograms since August.

“Iran has defied international demands to curb its nuclear program,” the report stated, calling the situation “a serious concern for global security.”

Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes, dismissing allegations of clandestine weapons development. After the resolution’s passage, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization and foreign ministry issued a joint statement condemning the move as “politically motivated.”

In response, Iran’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami announced the activation of advanced centrifuges capable of enriching uranium at a faster rate. “This resolution will not deter Iran from pursuing its legitimate nuclear activities,” he said.

The IAEA’s ongoing investigation has focused on two sites near Tehran. According to IAEA inspectors, Varamin was used as a pilot facility for uranium processing until 2003, while Turquzabad served as a storage site for nuclear material. Western officials believe the discovery of uranium traces at these locations could point to a secret weapons program halted in 2003, a claim Tehran denies.

The resolution comes as the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), nears its October 2025 expiration date. European diplomats warn that Iran’s lack of transparency could jeopardize efforts to revive the agreement.

“This is not just about one country; it’s about the integrity of the global non-proliferation regime,” said a senior European diplomat on condition of anonymity.

Iran’s refusal to cooperate has fueled speculation that it is using the JCPOA’s impending expiration to gain leverage. A U.S. official familiar with the matter called the IAEA findings “troubling.”

“The discovery of uranium enriched to near-weapons grade levels is a wake-up call. Iran must either come clean or face the consequences,” the official said.

The resolution obliges the IAEA to provide a comprehensive assessment of Iran’s nuclear activities by spring 2025. The report could lead to additional measures from Western nations, including sanctions or further diplomatic isolation of Tehran.

“We urge Iran to take this opportunity to resolve all outstanding questions,” IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said, adding that transparency is the only path to restoring trust.

Meanwhile, Tehran has vowed immediate retaliation. In the past, Iran has responded to such resolutions by advancing its nuclear activities—a move that could further escalate tensions.

The fate of Iran’s nuclear program and its relationship with the international community now hinges on its willingness to cooperate with the IAEA. “Iran’s choices today will shape the security landscape for years to come,” Grossi warned.