What the IAEA’s non-compliance resolution means for Iran, and the world Premium

IAEA declares Iran in breach of obligations, sparking global tensions over nuclear program and potential sanctions.

On June 12, 19 the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) voted in favour of declaring “that Iran is in breach of its obligations under its 1974 Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement”.

Just a day later, Israel mounted what it called “preliminary strikes” against nuclear facilities in Iran and declared a state of emergency at home.

Three Board members — China, Russia, and Venezuela — voted against the resolution while 11 abstained. The Board represents 35 states in all.

The Board also expressed “grave concern” over Iran’s inability to explain traces of uranium found at the country’s Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Turquzabad sites.

The IAEA is the U.N. nuclear watchdog tasked with promoting the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and to discourage military applications, including in nuclear weapons.

This is the first time the Board has formally established non-compliance, which is required before it can escalate the matter with the U.N. Security Council. A previous resolution had only “urged” Iran’s cooperation.

Other Gulf states have welcomed the resolution. Israel, in addition to launching its strikes in the early hours of June 13, repeated its stance that it won’t “allow” Iran to enrich uranium to 90%, which is required to produce nuclear weapons.