menu-control
The Jerusalem Post

US says it will raise pressure on Iran if it does not cooperate with UN watchdog

 
 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi at Vienna International Center, in Vienna, Austria March 15, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi at Vienna International Center, in Vienna, Austria March 15, 2024.
(photo credit: REUTERS/EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL)

The first week in June, the IAEA’s Board of Governors, composed of 35 nations, passed a resolution condemning Iran for not cooperating with the IAEA and for its barring of some top inspectors.

The US State Department said that Washington and its allies were prepared to continue to increase pressure on Iran if Tehran does not cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog.

Iran has rapidly installed extra uranium-enriching centrifuges at its Fordow site and begun setting up others, a UN nuclear watchdog report said on Thursday.

The State Department said the report showed that Iran aimed to continue expanding its nuclear program “in ways that have no credible peaceful purpose.”

Not cooperating with the IAEA

“Iran must cooperate with the IAEA without further delay to fully implement its legally binding safeguards obligations,” the State Department said.

Advertisement

Earlier this month, the IAEA’s Board of Governors, composed of 35 nations, passed a resolution condemning Iran for its lack of cooperation with the watchdog and for its barring of some top inspectors.

 Iranian centrifuges are seen on display during a meeting between Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and nuclear scientists and personnel of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), in Tehran, Iran June 11, 2023. (credit: VIA REUTERS)
Iranian centrifuges are seen on display during a meeting between Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and nuclear scientists and personnel of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), in Tehran, Iran June 11, 2023. (credit: VIA REUTERS)

The resolution was proposed by Britain, France, and Germany, and initially resisted by the US, which feared Iran would respond as it has to previous resolutions by escalating its nuclear activities. It passed with 20 countries in favor, two against, and 12 abstentions, Reuters reported.

In response, Iran warned it would retaliate.

×
Email:
×
Email: