Western Powers Push UN Referral as IAEA Loses Iran Nuclear
The IAEA warns it cannot verify Iran's nuclear material after losing access for over a year, as Western powers draft a resolution to refer Tehran to the UN
France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States are pushing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to report Iran to the UN Security Council. The nuclear watchdog's chief, Rafael Grossi, stated on Monday that his agency remains unable to verify Tehran's nuclear material more than a year after losing access to key facilities.
Grossi told the IAEA Board of Governors that Iran provided no new information on its declared nuclear material or facilities during the latest reporting period. Inspectors have been unable to conduct on-site verification. He described the situation as a proliferation concern needing urgent rectification.
Loss of Knowledge and Access
The continuity of knowledge was lost over stocks of uranium enriched up to 60 percent. This followed US and Israeli attacks on those facilities in June 2025. Grossi called on Iran to restore effective cooperation with the agency immediately.
This warning comes as the four Western powers seek support for a draft resolution at the 35-member board. According to Reuters, it would send the Iran issue back to the UN Security Council for the first time in two decades.
The Western Draft Resolution
The proposed text asks Grossi to transmit the resolution, previous board decisions, and his latest report to the UNSC and General Assembly. It also calls on Iran to provide the information and access required by inspectors. The draft has not been formally submitted, and negotiations over its wording are continuing.
Iran has rejected the move. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei argued that restrictions facing inspectors resulted from the US and Israeli attacks. He said it was unreasonable for those governments to blame Tehran for the loss of access.
Iran's Rejection and Warning
Iran maintains its nuclear programme is peaceful. Baghaei accused Western governments of turning to the IAEA only after failing elsewhere. "Whenever they run out of options, they turn to the agency and Grossi," he said at his weekly news conference.
Baghaei warned that Iran would take "necessary measures" if the Western powers pursued the resolution. Even if the IAEA board approves it, any concrete action at the Security Council could face opposition from permanent veto powers Russia and China.
