VIENNA: Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following the Gaza conflict, Western powers, including the United States and the E3 group (France, Germany, and the United Kingdom), have shown reluctance to take strong measures against Iran’s nuclear program.
Diplomats suggest that concerns about aggravating regional tensions, particularly after Israel’s military operation in Gaza, have tempered the international response.
While the Board of Governors meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna saw condemnation of Iran’s lack of cooperation, a binding resolution was not submitted. Diplomats cited a reluctance to provoke a reaction from Iran in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The 2015 nuclear deal, designed to curb Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, began unraveling in 2018 when former US President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement and reimposed sanctions. Efforts to revive the deal have stalled, with European-led talks on hold since 2022.
A recent confidential IAEA report revealed that Iran now possesses enough uranium enriched up to 60 percent, just below weapons-grade, to theoretically manufacture three bombs. While Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, concerns have grown as it has withdrawn accreditation from several IAEA inspectors and delayed the reinstallation of monitoring equipment.
The IAEA’s ability to monitor Iran’s nuclear program has suffered a “very serious blow” due to the barring of experienced inspectors, according to IAEA head Rafael Grossi.
While the reluctance of the IAEA Board of Governors to take strong action is understandable in the context of geopolitical considerations, critics argue that it sends the wrong signal to Tehran and undermines nonproliferation norms.
Experts warn that the West’s reluctance to rebuke Iran may encourage the country, especially as it benefits from Russia’s support.
