The International Atomic Energy Agency’s board passed a resolution calling on Iran to cooperate with the agency in investigating traces of nuclear material found at undeclared sites in the country.
The IAEA Board of Governors on Thursday discussed the issue of nuclear traces found at several undeclared sites in Iran between 2019 and 2020.
The resolution was submitted by the United States, Britain, France and Germany. They say Iran has not complied with the nuclear watchdog’s request for cooperation.
The resolution calls on Iran to provide all information requested by the IAEA. It calls on Tehran to allow the IAEA access to sites and materials the agency needs. The resolution also calls on Iran to allow the agency to collect samples.
The document states that the IAEA Director General should issue a report on the implementation of the resolution by March next year.
The resolution was adopted by the majority of members. Russia and China opposed it.
Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA, Mohsen Naziri Asl, reacted sharply. Naziri Asl said the Governing Council was under pressure from four countries to ratify a resolution against his country’s peaceful nuclear activities.
He suggested the resolution could have an impact on relations between Tehran and the agency.
The IAEA plans to send senior officials to Iran by the end of this month for talks on the issue. Analysts say the resolution may affect negotiations.