Iran referred to UN Security Council for nuclear non-compliance

What the report says

The UN’s nuclear watchdog has formally referred Iran to the UN Security Council over what it described as non-compliance with its nuclear safeguards obligations, in a rare step not taken for about two decades. The decision was made by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s board of governors at a meeting in Vienna and was backed by a majority of member states.

According to BBC World News, the IAEA resolution was introduced by the UK, France, Germany and the US. It cited gaps in information about Iran’s nuclear material, including its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and limited access for inspectors to nuclear sites. China, Russia and Niger voted against the measure, while several countries abstained.

Tehran condemned the move and blamed US and Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities for making inspections difficult. Iran says the attacks on sites including Natanz and Fordo disrupted verification work and has argued that its nuclear programme is peaceful. Western governments and Israel have long questioned that claim because of concerns Iran could be moving closer to a weapons capability.

The BBC also reported that new sanctions are considered unlikely at the Security Council because China and Russia can veto action. The referral adds pressure to already strained diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear programme and underscores continuing disputes over access, monitoring and the status of its enriched uranium stockpile.