The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has referred Iran to UN Security Council for the first time in 20 years, citing Tehran’s failure to cooperate with a long-running probe into uranium traces found at undeclared sites.
The IAEA’s 35-member board approved the resolution by 23 votes to five, with eight abstentions. Russia, China, and Niger voted against it. The resolution was proposed by the United States, Britain, France, and Germany. Referring Iran to the Security Council opens the country to possible sanctions and asset freezes. However, such punitive measures are unlikely because Iran’s allies, Russia and China, are permanent Security Council members and can veto any punitive action.
The IAEA said Iran has around 441 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, close to weapons-grade levels. The agency has also been unable to verify the status of the stockpile or access several nuclear sites following Israeli and US strikes in June last year.
