Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
The United Nations’ nuclear regulatory body has issued a resolution urging Iran to quickly update its enriched uranium stocks and provide access to its damaged nuclear sites. The 35-member Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) voted on Thursday for “immediate” information and access from Tehran.
This resolution primarily renews the IAEA’s authority to monitor Iran’s nuclear activities while emphasizing the necessity for Iran to address inquiries about its uranium inventory and sites affected by recent military actions. This comes five months after Israeli and U.S. military attacks on Iranian nuclear installations.
Iran asserts that its nuclear ambitions are strictly for peaceful purposes. Prior to the resolution’s passage, Iranian officials cautioned that they might limit their cooperation with the IAEA should the measure proceed.
The vote concluded with 19 in favor, three against, and 12 abstaining, with Russia, China, and Niger opposing.
According to the IAEA, inspections of the sites targeted in June cannot commence, nor can the verification of Iran’s uranium store, unless Tehran provides an official report. These include three uranium enrichment facilities that were operational at the time of the assaults.
As of June, Iran was reported to have 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity, nearing weapon-grade status. The IAEA warns that this amount could potentially be enriched further for the creation of up to 10 nuclear weapons. Concerns have been raised by Western nations, who question the justification for such high levels of enrichment.
The IAEA has stressed the urgent need for action, asserting that oversight of Iran's nuclear materials and facilities is “long overdue” and vital for global nuclear security.
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