This photo, released by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, shows him speaking during a ceremony on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in Tehran, on June 4, 2025. (Credit: AFP)
Europe and the United States intend to submit a resolution against Iran to the IAEA Board of Governors next week, with a threat to refer the case to the United Nations, according to several diplomatic sources.
After the publication of a report by the U.N. body highlighting "a general lack of cooperation from Tehran, a resolution will be submitted for non-compliance with its nuclear obligations," a high-ranking diplomatic source said Thursday.
Two other diplomats confirmed to AFP this Western initiative, which aims to "increase pressure" on Iran.
The text, prepared by Washington as well as London, Paris and Berlin, "is based on the comprehensive report" released a few days ago by the International Atomic Energy Agency, one of these sources stressed, noting that the vote is expected to take place next Wednesday during the meeting scheduled in Vienna.
In this document described as "political" by Tehran, the IAEA called on Iran for more transparency about its nuclear program.
The agency has been unsuccessfully trying for years to obtain clarification on the unknown fate of nuclear materials resulting from undeclared activities conducted until the early 2000s.
"Iran has repeatedly either not responded or not provided technically credible answers and has cleaned" sites, the IAEA wrote, also mentioning the theft of confidential documents.
Tehran has also accelerated in recent months its production of uranium enriched to 60 percent, a level close to the 90 percent required for making a bomb.
The Islamic Republic denies any military intentions, defending the right to nuclear power for civilian purposes.
Enemies for over four decades, Iran and the U.S. have held five rounds of talks since April, under Oman's mediation, aiming to reach an agreement to stop the escalation in exchange for lifting sanctions that cripple its economy.
To preserve this diplomatic route and "give Tehran one last chance," according to the diplomats interviewed, the Western countries have opted for a "delayed referral scheme" of the dispute to the U.N. Security Council, authorized to impose sanctions. This is in theory only, as two of its members, Moscow and Beijing, have changed sides on this issue and now support Tehran.
Practically, if Iran "does not show goodwill," an extraordinary Board of Governors meeting could be convened over the summer with a view to transferring it to the U.N.