Iran vows new nuclear steps in response to IAEA censure
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A 2013 satellite photo of Iran's Fordow enrichment facility. DigitalGlobe via Getty Images via Getty Images
Iran on Thursday repudiated a declaration from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it's not complying with its nuclear obligations, and said it would enhance aspects of its nuclear program in response.
Why it matters: The latest clash comes with the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in danger of collapse, and Israel preparing for potential strikes on Iran's nuclear program. With fears of war growing, the U.S. has moved some personnel out of the region.
Driving the news: The IAEA board of governors approved a resolution proposed by the U.S., U.K., France and Germany to condemn Iran for not providing clarity about its undeclared nuclear sites and material.
- 19 countries on the 35-member voted in favor. Russia, China and Burkina Faso opposed the resolution, and the others abstained or didn't vote.
The other side: The Iranian Foreign Ministry and Atomic Energy Organization issued a joint statement condemning the IAEA resolution as politically motivated.
- The Iranians announced that in response, they would launch a new Uranium enrichment facility "in a secure location" in Iran.
- In addition, they said Iran would replace thousands of old centrifuges in its underground enrichment facility in Fordow with more sophisticated centrifuges that can enrich uranium faster.
- The Iranians said they would take further measures. For now, they are not increasing uranium enrichment beyond the current 60%.
The intrigue: Those announcements come ahead of a critical round of nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran on Sunday in Oman.
- Failure in the talks would likely lead to a swift Israeli military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, and then a massive Iranian military response.
- This could quickly lead to a renewed regional war.
State of play: While condemning Iran's non-compliance, the resolution didn't refer the Iranian case back to the UN Security Council immediately. Such a step would likely lead to the snap-back of UN sanctions against Iran.
- But the resolution opens the way for such a move this summer, if Iran doesn't change course.
- The U.K,, France and Germany have set August as the deadline for snap-back sanctions. Iran has threatened to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if that happens.
- A U.S. official said the fact that the current resolution didn't refer Iran's case to the Security Council was an attempt to signal to Iran that the U.S. and its European partners are still leaving the door open for a diplomatic solution. But the Iranians didn't seem to interpret it that way.
Between the lines: Iran is very sensitive to international censure over its nuclear activities, particularly as it was the U.S. that walked away from the 2015 deal to constrain Iran's program.
- This was the first IAEA resolution condemning Iran in 20 years.
