Archive · 4 Sep 2026
US Allies Seek UN Referral Over Iran Nuclear Access
The United States and several European countries want the nuclear watchdog to send Iran’s case to the United Nations Security Council.
They say Iran has not allowed inspectors to check its nuclear sites and uranium supplies.
Those sites were damaged during an air war involving the United States and Israel.
Inspectors have not been able to confirm how much enriched uranium remains.
The watchdog believes more than 200 kilograms may have survived.
Some of the uranium was enriched to 60 percent, which is close to the level used for weapons.
Iran says it only wants peaceful nuclear technology.
It also says it will not make nuclear weapons.
The United States, Britain, France and Germany are urging the International Atomic Energy Agency board to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council.
The proposed resolution could be considered by the IAEA’s 35-nation board next week, though its wording is still being negotiated.
Iran has not allowed IAEA inspectors to return to sites damaged in the February 28 U.S.-Israeli air war or verify its remaining enriched-uranium stocks.
The IAEA believes more than 200 kilograms of uranium enriched to up to 60% purity survived and is held at sites in Isfahan and Natanz.
Iran says it will not produce nuclear weapons and maintains that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty permits peaceful enrichment.
- Who
- The United States, Britain, France and Germany are seeking action against Iran through the IAEA board.
- What
- They want the IAEA board to report Iran to the U.N. Security Council over inspector access and unresolved uranium-stockpile questions.
- When
- The proposal is expected to be considered next week; the air war began on February 28, and the report was published on September 4.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Iranian nuclear sites, including facilities in Isfahan and Natanz, and the IAEA board in Vienna.
- Why
- The sponsors say Iran has not fully cooperated with the IAEA, allowed inspectors to return to bombed sites, or enabled verification of its enriched-uranium stocks.
Supporters of UN referral
Iran’s position
Inspector access
Supporters of UN referral
The United States and its allies say Iran’s continued refusal to allow IAEA inspectors back to damaged sites warrants referral to the U.N. Security Council.
Iran’s position
Iran has not permitted inspectors to return, while maintaining that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Enriched uranium
Supporters of UN referral
The IAEA considers the amount of uranium enriched to 60% a serious concern and wants Iran’s stocks declared and independently verified.
Iran’s position
Iran says the NPT gives it the right to develop peaceful nuclear technology, including enrichment, and says it will not produce nuclear weapons.
International response
Supporters of UN referral
Supporters argue the proposed resolution would follow earlier IAEA resolutions demanding Iranian cooperation and access.
Iran’s position
Iran would face a first referral to the Security Council in 20 years if the resolution passes, according to diplomats cited in the report.
- Proposed action
- Report Iran to the U.N. Security Council
- Decision-making body
- The IAEA’s 35-nation board
- Sponsors
- The United States, Britain, France and Germany
- Enrichment level
- Some Iranian uranium was enriched to up to 60% purity
- Estimated surviving stock
- The IAEA believes well over 200 kilograms survived the bombardments
- Reported storage locations
- A tunnel complex at Isfahan and the Natanz facility
- Draft status
- The resolution had not yet been formally submitted, and wording negotiations were continuing