The IAEA informed that Iran was installing additional cascades at the enrichment facilities at Natanz and Fordow.
The cascades are a series of centrifuges and machines used in the uranium enrichment process. The proposal, put forward by the UK, France, and Germany at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) 35-nation board of directors last week, was the first of its kind since November 2022.
The resolution, which Tehran called “hasty and unwise” was passed amid a stalemate over Iran’s escalating nuclear activities. Western powers fear Tehran may try to develop nuclear weapons, but Iran denies the allegation.
This vote of no confidence seeks to increase diplomatic pressure on Iran, with the possibility of potentially referring the matter to the UN Security Council. Previously, such resolutions prompted Tehran to retaliate by removing surveillance cameras and other equipment from its nuclear facilities and stepping up uranium enrichment activities.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated:
The report issued today by the IAEA makes clear that Iran aims to continue expanding its nuclear programme in ways that have no credible peaceful purpose. Iran must cooperate with the IAEA without further delay to fully implement its legally binding safeguards obligations.
According to the IAEA, Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon country that enriches uranium to a high level of 60 per cent. It also continues to accumulate large uranium stockpiles.
The IAEA stated that Tehran had ramped up its nuclear programme significantly and had sufficient material to build several atomic bombs. The Islamic republic gradually abandoned its obligations under the nuclear agreement it struck with world powers in 2015.
The landmark deal granted Iran exemption from Western sanctions in exchange for curbing its atomic programme. However, it fell apart after the United States unilaterally withdrew under then President Donald Trump in 2018.
Earlier, Iran strongly condemned an anti-Iran resolution earlier adopted by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), arguing that such measures would not contribute to undermining Tehran’s nuclear programme.
