Iran Withdraws IAEA Resolution on Protecting Nuclear Sites After US Pressure

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

Vienna – Iran has withdrawn a resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that sought to prohibit attacks on nuclear facilities worldwide, following intense US lobbying against the measure.

The draft resolution, co-sponsored by China, Russia, and several other countries, was expected to be presented at the IAEA’s annual General Conference. However, Western diplomats revealed that Washington pressured member states, warning that adoption could lead to reduced US funding for the agency.

“Guided by the spirit of goodwill and constructive engagement, and at the request of several member states, we decided to defer the resolution until next year’s conference,” Iran’s Ambassador to the UN, Reza Najafi, told delegates.

Diplomats speaking anonymously said the US specifically opposed the resolution because it could have restricted Israel’s rights within the IAEA.

The debate recalled a historic precedent: in 1981, Israel’s strike on Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor triggered widespread condemnation, including resolutions from the UN Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors, which temporarily suspended Israel’s technical assistance from the agency.

The withdrawal comes as the US and its allies move closer to reimposing UN sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, escalating diplomatic tensions.

The resolution had been viewed by Tehran and its allies as a safeguard for nuclear infrastructure against military strikes, particularly in light of recent incidents. A July 2025 US airstrike on Iran’s Fordo Fuel Enrichment Plant underscored the vulnerability of nuclear sites.

By stepping back, Iran avoided a direct confrontation with Washington inside the IAEA but signaled it may revive the proposal in 2026.

Observers say the move highlights how geopolitical rivalries between Iran, the US, and Israel continue to shape the nuclear debate, even within technical bodies like the IAEA.

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