Iran has been censured by the international body for failing to cooperate with international oversight. The United Nations‘s International Atomic Energy Agency rebuked Iran on a vote of 20-2 for advances in its nuclear program, with 12 other members abstaining. Only Russia and China voted against the proposal.
The U.S. ambassador to the IAEA, Laura Holgate, said prior to the vote Wednesday that the United States would support the resolution “given Iran’s lack of cooperation with the IAEA and our commitment to collective action in support of the agency and the NPT,” referencing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1970. This vote comes after the IAEA reported that Iran had further increased its near weapons grade stockpile. This is amid a backdrop of the Biden administration holding secret, indirect, talks in Oman with Iran. The U.S. and Iran have lacked formal diplomatic relations since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
Iran has shown it is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to being sanctioned by U.N. agencies. Iran was last sanctioned in 2022, and it retaliated by enriching much of its uranium to 60%. This is one last short enrichment step below the 90% weapons grade calculation.
Due to Iran’s capacity as a known supporter of Hamas and Hezbollah, two State Department-classified terrorist organizations, negotiations are more difficult. Iran has been designated as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1984. Considering its willingness to disregard international pressure bluntly, the Iranian government must either make a change or face the full economic consequences of U.S. pressure and focus.
Tensions have remained high between the IAEA and Iran since 2018, when then-President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the agreement, and concerns over the enforcement of the sanction aspect were drawn into question. The agreement, however, has continued to be enforced by the other countries in the deal despite Iran’s commitment to increasing enrichment.
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Iran quickly issued a statement in response to the censure on how it “strongly condemns” the actions of the IAEA and how it “considers … the presentation and approval of this resolution to be a political and non-constructive action and a continuation of the previous failed policies of some Western countries and an attempt to politically abuse international mechanisms against independent countries.” Iran has been willing to be completely open about its blatant disregard for international order or respect for its previous commitment to these agreements.
The global community has a duty to renew its focus on the threat that Iran poses to the world. Iran is a known supporter of Hamas. It continues to support Hezbollah. It is violating numerous international treaties and agreements, such that it could have an increasing capacity for a nuclear program. It has given us warning signs, but it matters that we manage the warning.