IAEA Declares Iran in Breach of Nuclear Safeguards for First Time in Nearly 20 Years, Setting Stage for Escalation
by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog formally declared Iran in violation of its non-proliferation commitments on Thursday, marking the first such resolution in nearly two decades and igniting fears of renewed nuclear escalation in the Middle East.
The 35-member Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution stating that Iran had failed to provide credible explanations for uranium traces found at undeclared sites and was in breach of its Safeguards Agreement. The resolution, submitted by the United States, Britain, France, and Germany, passed with 19 votes in favor, 11 abstentions, and three votes against–Russia, China, and Burkina Faso.
The resolution cited Iran’s “many failures to uphold its obligations since 2019” and declared the country in “non-compliance” due to its lack of cooperation with the IAEA’s long-standing investigation into undeclared nuclear material and activities.
Secret Nuclear Activity Resurfaces
A May 31 IAEA report indicated that three out of four investigated sites were linked to a covert Iranian nuclear program from the early 2000s. While Iran has long denied ever seeking nuclear weapons, the IAEA’s findings align with past U.S. intelligence that Iran halted a coordinated weapons program in 2003, though some isolated activities continued.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi described the findings as consistent with longstanding concerns about Iran’s nuclear intentions. Tehran has rejected the agency’s conclusion, calling the resolution “political” and lacking legal merit.
Iran Prepares Response
In response to the resolution, Iran has already announced measures that signal a potential escalation. The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami, said Tehran will activate a new enrichment site, replace older centrifuges at its Fordow facility with advanced IR-6 models, and prepare a third enrichment facility that is reportedly already built and ready for operation.
While Iran has not disclosed the location of the new site, the secrecy surrounding these developments has deepened Western concerns.
Diplomatic Stakes Rise Ahead of Sunday Talks
The resolution may pave the way for Iran’s case to be referred to the UN Security Council, though diplomats say that would require a second resolution. The last time such a referral occurred was in 2006, which led to international sanctions on Iran.
Meanwhile, the sixth round of indirect nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran is scheduled for Sunday in Muscat, Oman, despite growing doubts. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed the meeting, which will feature U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Axios reports that Witkoff is expected to present Iran with a revised U.S. proposal, even as Western intelligence warns that Tehran is deliberately stalling negotiations.
Israel Sends High-Level Delegation Ahead of Talks
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad Director David Barnea will travel to Muscat to confer with U.S. officials, reportedly under direct orders from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu also spoke directly with President Donald Trump earlier this week, warning that “Tehran is simply buying time.”
Western officials have expressed growing alarm that Iran is using the diplomatic process to fortify its nuclear infrastructure. Iran recently unveiled underground missile complexes and has made significant progress on a new facility at Natanz, said to be buried deeper than the Fordow site and potentially immune to conventional military strikes.
Snapback Sanctions Loom
The UN Security Council’s “snapback” sanctions mechanism — allowing pre-2015 sanctions to be reimposed — remains a looming threat to Iran, although it must be activated before mid-October. Tehran has warned that such action would prompt an even harsher nuclear response.
With diplomacy faltering and trust eroding, the IAEA’s resolution has injected new urgency — and volatility — into an already precarious standoff between Iran and the West.
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