IAEA adopts resolution against Iran’s nuclear program

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has adopted a resolution to sanction Iran for its increasing nuclear activities, exacerbating international tensions.

Share:

Tensions nucléaires Iran AIEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently adopted a tough resolution against Iran in response to the escalation of its nuclear program. This decision, supported by 20 of the 35 members of the Board of Governors, was driven by London, Paris and Berlin (E3). It underlines growing concern at the lack of credible answers to the question of uranium traces detected at two undeclared sites in Iran. In May 2024, Iran’s uranium enrichment rate was 30 times higher than the threshold imposed by the IAEA.
Despite initial reluctance on the part of the United States, fearing an exacerbation of tensions in the Middle East, the latter eventually voted in favor of the resolution. However, Russia and China voted against, while 12 countries abstained. This initiative marks the first such resolution since November 2022, and broadens the range of grievances against Iran.

New points of contention

In addition to the persistent problems linked to the lack of transparency at certain nuclear sites, the resolution addresses two new areas of concern. It demands that Iran reinstate the accreditation of its most experienced inspectors and immediately reactivate the deactivated surveillance cameras. These measures are designed to increase pressure on Iran, which has considerably reduced its cooperation with theIAEA.
This resolution, although symbolic at this stage, could precede a referral of the dispute to the UN Security Council, which could impose sanctions. However, the position of Russia and China, close to Iran, complicates this eventuality.

Reactions and outlook

Teheran strongly criticized the resolution, calling it counterproductive and unfounded. Iran threatened to retaliate, without specifying the nature of its response. Although Iran denies that it intends to acquire nuclear weapons, Europeans and the IAEA are expressing growing concern about its enrichment of uranium to 60%, a level close to that required for a nuclear bomb.
The talks in Vienna highlighted Iran’s nuclear advances, “unprecedented for a non-nuclear-weapon state”. Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich uranium to this level, a fact that seriously undermines international security and the global non-proliferation architecture.

Towards a diplomatic solution?

The Islamic Republic has gradually broken away from its commitments under the 2015 international agreement, known by its acronym JCPOA, following the unilateral withdrawal of the United States in 2018 under President Donald Trump. Efforts to revive this agreement failed in the summer of 2022.
In a joint statement, Iran, Russia and China called on Western countries to take steps to enable a return to the JCPOA, stressing the need for political will to resolve the crisis. However, the prospects of a diplomatic solution remain uncertain, exacerbating international tensions and posing major challenges to global security.

Bahrain has concluded a civil nuclear agreement with the United States and formalised a commitment of $17bn in public investments in the US market, further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Kairos Power has installed the vessel for its third test prototype in Oak Ridge, aiming to validate manufacturing methods for its future Hermes reactor supported by the US Department of Energy.
London and Prague formalise a strategic partnership to develop the nuclear sector, focusing on small modular reactors and industrial cooperation on supply chains.
Experts have broadly approved France’s Cigéo deep nuclear waste repository project, highlighting technical uncertainties that demand stronger guarantees for long-term safety.
Uzbekistan advances its nuclear project by signing a protocol with Hungary for the supply and local assembly of dry cooling systems, expanding its industrial partnerships in the region.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is asking the European Commission to review its $49bn investment to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant, a step required under the Euratom Treaty before any construction permit can be issued.
The International Atomic Energy Agency mission completed on July 11 warns that the National Nuclear Safety Administration must hire staff to oversee a fleet of 59 reactors in operation and 32 more under construction.
Energoatom signed strategic agreements with Westinghouse and Holtec at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, aiming to establish nuclear fuel production and small modular reactor capabilities in the country.
Tehran agrees to reopen its nuclear facilities to the IAEA, aiming to resume negotiations with Washington, while Moscow pushes for a “zero enrichment” agreement without getting involved in supervision.
TerraPower has selected three new American suppliers for its advanced Natrium nuclear reactor, confirming progress on the project located in Kemmerer, Wyoming, intended to replace a retiring coal-fired power plant.
Energy Exploration Technologies acquires Daytona Lithium, an Australian subsidiary of Pantera Lithium, for AUD40mn ($27mn), bringing its strategic lithium basin footprint in Smackover, USA to nearly 50,000 acres.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has identified no major barriers to licensing the ARC-100 reactor, announces ARC Clean Technology.
SE Ignalina, the Lithuanian nuclear operator, has signed a memorandum of understanding with French firm Newcleo to explore the integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) using lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology in Lithuania.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi oversaw the signing of new agreements for the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, thus strengthening the strategic cooperation between Egypt and Russia.
Vistra Corp receives green light to extend Perry nuclear plant operations in Ohio by 20 years, securing regional electricity supply until 2046 and ensuring operational continuity for all its nuclear reactors in the United States.
EDF will hold a 12.5% stake in the Sizewell C nuclear project in the UK, a €1.3 billion investment announced during Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to London, confirming the strategic nuclear energy alignment between the two countries.
The French Cigéo project, designed to bury the most hazardous radioactive waste deep underground, obtains a crucial technical validation before its final authorization, expected by the end of 2027.
EDF confirms the continuation of its industrial project in Fessenheim for recycling very low-level radioactive metals, a first in France requiring specific regulatory authorizations, following a public debate concluded last February.
NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. formalizes its collaboration with UrAmerica Ltd. to strengthen Argentina’s uranium supply, aiming to secure future nuclear fuel supply chains for the U.S. market.
American companies SHINE Technologies and Standard Nuclear partner to recycle uranium and plutonium, supplying advanced fuel to the nuclear reactor sector and enhancing the national energy security of the United States.