Iran has withdrawn a draft resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that sought to ban attacks on nuclear facilities, citing what it called U.S. pressure on member states.
The resolution, co-sponsored by Belarus, China, Nicaragua, Russia, and Venezuela, condemned Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict in June. The text described the attacks as “deliberate and unlawful,” warning they violated international law and posed “serious risks” to global peace and the non-proliferation regime.
Iranian Ambassador Reza Najafi told the IAEA’s annual general conference late Thursday that the proposal would not be put to a vote. “A large number of IAEA member states have stated… they are under severe pressure and intimidation from the United States not to vote in favour of the resolution,” he said.
In June, Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran, targeting key nuclear facilities. The strikes, supported by the United States, led Tehran to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. Last week, however, Iran agreed to a new framework for engagement with the watchdog.
The withdrawal comes as the United Nations Security Council prepares to vote Friday on whether to reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he had presented European powers with a “fair and balanced” proposal aimed at preventing the return of sanctions.
