Post by : Rameen Ariff

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), representing 35 nations, has adopted a resolution demanding Iran to urgently update its enriched uranium stock and allow access to its nuclear sites. This call for immediate action was made during a meeting held on Thursday, emphasizing that Tehran must provide crucial information without delay.

This resolution adjusts the IAEA's existing mandate to oversee Iran's nuclear activities, insisting that Iran address concerns regarding its uranium reserves and damaged sites. This comes in light of recent military operations against Iran's nuclear infrastructure by Israel and the U.S., which occurred five months ago.

Iran claims its nuclear ambitions are for peaceful means; however, it cautioned prior to the resolution's passage that it might scale back its cooperation with the IAEA if such a measure was approved.

The resolution received 19 votes in favor, while three nations including Russia, China, and Niger voted against it, and 12 nations abstained from voting.

The IAEA has indicated it cannot conduct inspections on the sites that were attacked in June or verify the reported uranium stockpile until Iran submits a formal report. Amongst the affected locations, there are three uranium enrichment facilities that were functional during the military strikes.

Prior to the June assaults, Iran had approximately 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity—nearly at weapons-grade level. The IAEA highlights that this quantity could potentially be further enriched to produce up to 10 nuclear weapons. Concerns have been raised by Western nations regarding the lack of legitimate civil justification for such high levels of enrichment.

The IAEA has stated that prompt action is essential, declaring that oversight of Iran's nuclear materials and installations is critically overdue for the sake of global nuclear safety.

#Global