IAEA chief says resolution on Iran’s non-compliance unrelated to US-Iran talks

A former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Fereydoon Abbasi, dismissed the possibility of reimposed UN sanctions under the so-called snapback mechanism as political posturing by Western powers.

In comments carried by state media, Abbasi warned that Western pressure would persist regardless of Iran’s stance on enrichment or regional activities.

“Even if we abandon our nuclear and missile programs or stop supporting the Resistance Axis (Iran-backed regional militia), they will find new excuses,” he said, calling on authorities to “stand firm on nuclear rights and resist foreign interference.”

Abbasi, a former MP and physics professor who survived a 2010 assassination attempt, said Iran has achieved full mastery over the nuclear fuel cycle and does not need foreign partnerships to continue enrichment.

He also rejected proposals for multinational nuclear consortiums and argued that any move to reimpose sanctions would face resistance from China and Russia at the UN Security Council.

Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said the agency had “lost its credibility” by acting under “unilateral American influence.”

“We have no hidden program and no deviation from our obligations,” Eslami said in an interview with Al-Arabi TV of Qatar ahead of the IAEA Board of Governors meeting this week. “We will not endanger the health of our people by surrendering to political pressure.”

Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for the agency, also said in a separate broadcast that Iran had already conveyed a list of possible countermeasures if censured.

“Last time we warned them and they didn’t listen, so we increased 60 percent enrichment sevenfold. Now again, we’ve told them what actions we may take. The agency shouldn’t expect continued constructive cooperation.”

ISIS analysis: IAEA findings show coordinated nuclear program

In an analysis of the IAEA’s May 31 report, the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) said the agency had presented “new details from its assessments about Iran’s activities involving undeclared nuclear materials, related equipment, as well as their nuclear weapons relevance, at four sites in Iran.”

The analysis said the IAEA now concludes that Lavizan-Shian, Marivan, Varamin, and Turquz-Abad were “part of an undeclared structured nuclear program.”

The ISIS report highlights Iran’s production of uranium deuteride (UD3) neutron initiators at Lavizan-Shian during 2003, saying these were “integrated into scaled implosion systems and explosively tested.” These initiators play a central role in triggering the chain reaction in a nuclear weapon.

At Marivan, the IAEA assessed that Iran conducted four explosive tests involving “full-scale hemispherical implosion systems,” consistent with preparation for a cold test of a nuclear weapon device.

The analysis said the IAEA found indications that “equipment was developed and tested at Lavizan-Shian that included neutron detectors and housings,” and that “identical housing for neutron detectors was deployed in an explosive test at Marivan.”

The Varamin site, also referred to as the Tehran Plant in Iran’s nuclear archive, was identified as a pilot-scale uranium conversion facility. According to the analysis, the IAEA reported that the site housed “small but heavily contaminated (and possibly full) UF6 cylinders,” along with fluorine-based chemicals and radiation monitoring equipment.

Five containers of equipment were deemed essential by Iranian operators and were later moved to Turquz-Abad.

The ISIS review emphasized the connection between these sites and Turquz-Abad, which the IAEA concluded served as a storage site for nuclear materials and contaminated equipment from Lavizan-Shian, Varamin, and the Jaber Ibn Hayan Laboratory.

The agency detected “processed natural uranium particles” and isotopically altered uranium, including material enriched up to 19 percent, though it noted it has “no assessment regarding the source” of these particles.

ISIS noted that the findings warrant an IAEA Board of Governors censure resolution and referral of Iran’s case to the UN Security Council. It also urged the E3 to trigger a snapback of UN sanctions through the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action mechanism.

Iran points to ‘sabotage,’ questions IAEA process

Iran’s semi-official news agency ISNA reported Monday that officials had presented what they described as evidence of sabotage at Varamin and Turquz-Abad during the recent visit by IAEA Deputy Director General Massimo Aparo. According to ISNA, Iran shared physical traces of tampering and indicated it would provide further documentation when appropriate.

Iran said it had not been previously informed of key allegations contained in the IAEA’s report and rejected the agency’s linkage between uranium particles found at Turquz-Abad and activities at JHL. Officials insisted no intact containers were removed from Turquz-Abad in the period referenced by the agency and characterized the site as an industrial waste depot.

On Varamin, Tehran denied the existence of a pilot-scale conversion plant and accused the IAEA of basing its assessment on “fabricated documents” submitted by adversarial actors. Officials also dismissed satellite imagery cited by the agency as insufficient evidence of material transfer to Turquz-Abad.

While Iranian authorities expressed their willingness to cooperate within the safeguards framework, they questioned the IAEA’s transparency and impartiality. They also expressed concern that the agency’s recent conduct indicates “no intention to resolve these matters through technical channels.”

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog on Monday urged Iran to fully cooperate with the agency’s investigations, warning that unresolved questions about undeclared nuclear sites and enriched uranium stockpiles continue to cast doubt on the peaceful nature of Tehran’s atomic program.

Speaking at the opening of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors meeting, Director General Rafael Grossi said Iran had failed to provide credible explanations for traces of man-made uranium found at three undeclared sites—Varamin, Marivan, and Turquzabad—and had taken actions to obstruct verification efforts.

“Iran has repeatedly either not answered, or not provided technically credible answers,” Grossi told the board, adding that Iran’s moves to sanitize these locations further impeded oversight. “These locations were part of an undeclared structured nuclear program carried out until the early 2000s.”

Grossi said Iran’s decision to halt implementation of modified Code 3.1—a legal obligation under its safeguards agreement—had significantly weakened the IAEA’s monitoring capabilities.

Tehran’s stockpile of over 400 kgof highly enriched uranium is raising fresh proliferation concerns.

The IAEA is also closely engaged in ongoing diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States. Grossi said he had held recent talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Cairo, alongside Egyptian officials, and stressed that any future deal must include a strong verification role for the Agency.

“I call upon Iran urgently to cooperate fully,” Grossi said. “Only a diplomatic solution, strongly backed by IAEA verification, can ensure the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.”

During his weekly press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei also reaffirmed Tehran’s right to uranium enrichment and warned of potential retaliatory steps if the West continues what it described as politicized pressure tactics.

“The American proposal does not reflect the outcomes of previous negotiations and cannot be considered a product of mutual understanding... It lacks the give-and-take required in a bilateral process,” Baghaei said.

“Any proposal that fails to consider the rights and interests of the Iranian nation—whether in peaceful nuclear energy including enrichment, or in providing effective guarantees for lifting cruel sanctions—is unacceptable to us ...

“We recommend that the American side seize this opportunity and review it seriously, as accepting it would benefit the United States.”

Earlier in the day, Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, reported that Iran is expected to deliver a formal written response to the US proposal within the next two days.

Warning over IAEA resolution

Addressing the possibility of a resolution against Iran at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting which started on Monday, Baghaei accused the agency of yielding to political pressure from the US and the three European countries known as the E3, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

In March, the E3 issued a joint statement expressing concerns over Iran's nuclear activities, including unprecedented enrichment levels, advanced centrifuge deployment, lack of transparency and threats to non-proliferation.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always based its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency on its commitments under the NPT and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement,” Baghaei said.

“Unfortunately, the Agency, under the influence of political pressure, drafted what it called a ‘comprehensive report,’ which European countries then exploited to push for a resolution.”

He warned that “a confrontational response will certainly not lead to more cooperation.” Iran, he added, has prepared a series of steps and measures and will act in coordination with the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and relevant bodies.

“No country has the right to dictate terms to Iran regarding its enrichment rights or issue licenses in this regard,” Baghai said, affirming that uranium enrichment is “an inseparable part of Iran’s indigenous nuclear fuel cycle and scientific identity.”

Referring to Article 4 of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, he said, “This right is explicitly recognized for all signatory countries and is non-negotiable.”

The latest IAEA report, leaked to Western media late last month, concluded that Iran now possesses over 400 kg of 60%-enriched uranium—enough, if further enriched, to build approximately 10 nuclear weapons.

The report also cited ongoing Iranian non-cooperation on safeguards and expressed serious concern over the country’s continued enrichment at levels with no civilian justification.

No sanctions relief so far, Iran says

Baghaei dismissed recent reports that sanctions on Iran had been lifted. “As I said last week, the claim that sanctions have been halted is simply not true. In fact, a new set of sanctions was imposed just this week. This shows once again that the US is not serious.”

He criticized the “inconsistent and contradictory behavior of the United States, which simultaneously claims to seek dialogue while imposing fresh sanctions,” adding that such actions only increase Iran’s mistrust.

Iran’s nuclear posture

When asked about international concerns over a possible shift in Iran’s nuclear posture, Baghaei said that the country’s nuclear program is entirely peaceful.

“Even the IAEA’s latest report, despite its politically-motivated framing, does not mention any deviation from peaceful objectives,” he added.

No deal without sanctions relief

On whether Iran had addressed sanctions in the five previous rounds of talks, Baghaei said, “We have consistently emphasized the necessity of lifting oppressive sanctions in both the media and negotiations. How can an agreement be imagined without addressing this fundamental and legitimate demand?”

Sanctions since 2018 when US President Donald Trump pulled out of the JCPOA nuclear deal, have since crippled Iran's economy with inflation at record highs since the founding of the Islamic Republic.

“The main demand of the Iranian nation—besides preserving nuclear achievements—is the effective removal of sanctions. If a proposal ignores these two core principles, it not only lacks seriousness but is also unacceptable to us," he added.

Snapback mechanism and security council

Baghai also downplayed the likelihood of the so-called “snapback” mechanism being triggered at the UN Security Council as the October deadline draws closer and the threat of the reimposition of sanctions looming.

“There is no legal basis or justification for the continued presence of Iran’s nuclear issue on the Security Council’s agenda after October 2025. Any move to the contrary is purely political.”

He added that the US and its allies had previously taken Iran’s file to the Security Council in 2006 “without any such mechanism, using fabricated pretexts.”

Iran accuses Europe of abandoning diplomacy

Baghaei said while efforts have been underway by Tehran, diplomatic dialogue with Europe is failing: “European opposition cannot be a motivation for cooperation. While we engaged in dialogue and held several rounds of talks, unfortunately the European side neither offered constructive proposals nor remained committed to the diplomatic path.”

Referring to the IAEA resolution being prepared by European countries and supported by the US, he warned, “All of these parties will be responsible for the consequences. Sadly, this behavior reflects a continuing confrontational and uncooperative approach.”

Addressing Trump’s recent executive order restricting entry to citizens from 12 countries including Iran, Baghai said it was another move to drive a wedge between the two nations, amid the sensitive nuclear talks.

“The US decision is based on a discriminatory and racist outlook, and is entirely rejected from both human rights and moral perspectives," he said.

“For us Iranians, this action is yet another clear sign of the depth of hostility the American government harbors toward the Iranian people. It violates fundamental principles of equality and justice, and the international community must respond decisively.”

Iran will soon present a finalized proposal to the United States through Oman and called on Washington to take the offer seriously, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said at a press conference.

“It is definitely in the interest of the United States to seriously consider this proposal,” Baghaei said.