The United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany have collaborated to create a draft resolution aimed at referring Iran to the UN Security Council. This action comes in response to what diplomats describe as Iran’s failure to adhere to its nuclear non-proliferation commitments. The proposal is presently in the negotiation phase and would escalate the issue to the Security Council, which has the authority to impose legally binding measures including sanctions or asset freezes.

Diplomatic sources have indicated, however, that the likelihood of specific punitive measures being enacted by the UN appears to be minimal, particularly given the veto power held by Russia and China, both of which maintain strong ties with Iran. This situation complicates the potential for immediate actions against Iran, despite ongoing concerns regarding its nuclear programme.

As stipulated in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran is required to disclose all nuclear materials and activities while granting the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) the ability to verify that none are being diverted for non-peaceful use. This referral proposal has been under discussion since June 2025, following the IAEA board’s allegation of Iran’s non-compliance for the first time in two decades, coinciding with military operations by the US and Israel against Iranian nuclear facilities.

Call for Diplomatic Solutions

The draft resolution, which has been reviewed by The Associated Press and previously reported by Reuters, requests IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to distribute the resolution along with past resolutions to all Member States of the Agency, as well as to the UN Security Council and General Assembly. It emphasises the importance of seeking a diplomatic resolution concerning the challenges posed by Iran’s nuclear programme, underscoring the need for an agreement that addresses all international concerns linked to Iran’s nuclear activities.

While the proposal is still in the drafting phase and not yet formally presented to the IAEA board, amendments may be suggested by member states. Once formally submitted, it is anticipated to be brought to a vote at the upcoming IAEA Board of Governors meeting scheduled for next week in Vienna.

A senior Western diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions, noted that the referral has been temporarily delayed to allow one last effort for diplomatic engagement. The official asserted that, given Iran’s lack of cooperation and the breakdown of communication, decisive action from the board is now warranted.

IAEA Concerns Over Iran’s Compliance

Since the military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities during the 12-day conflict in June 2025, Iranian authorities have barred IAEA inspectors from accessing targeted sites, contravening their legal obligations to facilitate inspections. In addition, the agency has been unable to verify the status of Iran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium since the conflict erupted.

The IAEA has indicated that this difficulty has been exacerbated by the ongoing hostilities initiated by the US and Israel on February 28, which included recent military actions. In a confidential report reviewed by the AP, the agency stated on Tuesday that Iran’s ongoing refusal to grant inspectors access to its nuclear sites constitutes a significant “proliferation risk” that must be urgently addressed.

According to IAEA estimates, Iran possesses approximately 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity, which is only a short technical step away from the weapons-grade standard of 90 per cent. Last year, Grossi highlighted the potential implications, indicating that this stockpile could enable Iran to construct as many as ten nuclear bombs if it chose to pursue weaponisation, although he emphasised that this does not confirm that Iran has such capabilities.

Furthermore, the IAEA has reported no advancements in its long-standing investigation regarding uranium traces discovered at various undeclared sites in Iran. Western officials have raised concerns that these traces might contribute evidence of Iran’s covert nuclear weapons programme prior to 2003. Despite these allegations, Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful in nature.

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