US Draft Resolution Demands Iran Open Sites, Uranium Stocks to IAEA

The United States is urging other countries on the UN nuclear watchdog’s Board of Governors to back a draft resolution demanding Iran disclose the fate of its bombed nuclear sites and enriched uranium stored there. This draft, seen by Reuters ahead of this week’s quarterly meeting of the 35-nation board, could complicate ongoing US-Iran talks as Iran resists resolutions against it at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The IAEA board has previously passed resolutions against Iran with clear margins, but this draft might face more resistance due to the U.S. and Israel bombing Iran’s nuclear sites last June, preventing the agency from returning to those locations since then.

The resolution demands Iran provide the IAEA with precise information on accountancy of nuclear material and safeguarded nuclear facilities in Iran, granting the agency all necessary access for verification without delay, as these actions are deemed urgent and essential. However, it does not include reporting Iran to the UN Security Council, a move some diplomats had suggested.

Israel began bombing Iran’s nuclear sites on June 13. The U.S. mission declined comment on its pursuit of this resolution.