Tehran, Iran - Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has issued a warning to France, Germany, and the United Kingdom regarding their efforts to pursue a new censure resolution against the country at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This comes shortly after the IAEA chief's recent visit to Tehran.
Araghchi condemned the initiative as a clear confrontation with the positive atmosphere created during engagements between Iran and the IAEA, stating that it would complicate matters further. The European nations are seeking their fourth resolution since 2020 at the IAEA's board meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
Recent confidential IAEA reports indicated that Iran has offered to halt the expansion of its stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium. Reports suggest that Iran has begun implementing preparatory measures to cap its high-enriched uranium stock at approximately 185 kg (407 pounds), which is close to the weapons-grade level of 90 percent enrichment.
This offer was reportedly made during IAEA chief Rafael Grossi's visit to Iran last week, where he met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The Iranian leadership expressed a desire to resolve doubts surrounding its nuclear program and permitted tours of sensitive nuclear sites.
Since the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, Iran has gradually increased its enrichment levels and stockpiles of fissile material. The IAEA and Western intelligence assessments indicate that while Iran possesses enough fissile material for multiple nuclear bombs, it has not yet pursued the development of a nuclear weapon.
Iran maintains that it does not seek to acquire weapons of mass destruction. However, Iranian officials have warned that this policy could change in response to perceived threats, particularly from Israel.
The European move to censure Iran coincides with escalating tensions related to the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. During his conversation with the French foreign minister, Araghchi also condemned new European sanctions against Iranian national airlines and shipping companies, asserting that Western nations bear responsibility for the situation in Gaza.