Iran threatens 'proportionate' response as IAEA censure looms
Iranian officials have repeatedly denied pursuit of nuclear weapons. In recent months, however, the rhetoric from state media and hard-liners has increasingly shifted.
TEHRAN — Iran warned on Wednesday against an anticipated resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that criticizes its perceived lack of sufficient cooperation with international nuclear monitoring regimes. Such a resolution would officially document the IAEA's concerns regarding Iran's nuclear activities and could lead to increased diplomatic pressure and potential sanctions.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran will respond "appropriately and proportionately" if the UN nuclear watchdog's Board of Governors pressed ahead with the resolution, state media reported.
Araghchi made the comments in a phone conversation with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, telling him that the Islamic Republic had already shown "goodwill" and that any such resolution would prove counterproductive to the positive momentum Iran has built in its recent interactions with the IAEA.
The messaging came as the UK, France and Germany, along with the United States, submitted the resolution to the IAEA board of governors, which is expected to put it to vote in Vienna on Thursday. The proposed draft seeks to bring the Islamic Republic back into compliance with its nuclear obligations under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
