Admin Denies Being Against Resolution
The Biden administration is urging European allies to refrain from rebuking Iran for its nuclear program advances, even as Iran's stockpile of near-weapons-grade fissile material reaches record levels. This appeal comes amid growing concerns among Western officials about Iran's nuclear activities. According to diplomats involved in the discussions, the U.S. is discouraging Britain and France from censuring Iran at the upcoming International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board meeting.
The U.S. stance contrasts with the positions of Britain and France, who advocate for a censure resolution. They argue that failing to take action would undermine the IAEA's authority and weaken Western credibility in pressuring Iran. The U.S. officials, however, deny lobbying against a resolution and maintain that Washington is "tightly coordinated" with European partners.
The situation is exacerbated by a recent report from the U.N. atomic-energy agency, which revealed that Iran's stockpile of 60% highly enriched uranium increased to 142.1 kilograms as of May 11, its highest level to date. This amount could potentially be converted into weapons-grade material sufficient for three nuclear weapons in a matter of days, raising significant alarm.
There are also concerns about Iran's stability following the recent death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. The Biden administration continues to seek a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear program but faces skepticism from European diplomats. These diplomats criticize Washington for lacking a coherent strategy to address Iran's nuclear advancements.
The European diplomats are particularly frustrated with the U.S. for not pursuing either serious diplomatic efforts or punitive actions against Tehran. They were strong supporters of the 2015 nuclear deal, which the Trump administration exited in 2018. Efforts to revive the deal under the Biden administration collapsed in August 2022, and since then, U.S. officials have been trying to manage tensions with Iran.
Washington's approach includes pressing the IAEA to compile a comprehensive report on Iran's non-cooperation, potentially laying the groundwork for international sanctions. However, any resolution at the U.N. Security Council would likely face vetoes from Russia and China, rendering it ineffective.
European countries, particularly Britain and France, have indicated they might push forward with a censure resolution despite U.S. opposition. They argue that it is essential to set a precedent for holding Iran accountable. The U.S. fears that such a move might provoke Iran to further escalate its nuclear activities or restrict inspectors' access.
The IAEA board last passed a resolution rebuking Iran in November 2022. Since then, there have been warnings from U.S. and European officials that they would take action if Tehran did not curb its nuclear advancements and improve cooperation with the IAEA.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi recently visited Iran, urging for concrete steps to show goodwill before the June board meeting. However, no significant actions have been reported, and diplomats do not expect immediate improvements.
In an effort to mitigate tensions, U.S. officials held indirect talks with Iranian officials in Oman earlier this month, discussing regional and nuclear issues. Experts like Mark Dubowitz of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association emphasize the importance of a censure resolution as part of a broader strategy to pressure Iran into compliance and expand IAEA access.
The debate continues as Western nations grapple with the challenge of preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear-weapon state while maintaining diplomatic channels open.