Iran withdraws resolution on nuclear site attacks at IAEA
Iran pulled a resolution at the UN nuclear watchdog’s annual conference that sought to prohibit attacks on nuclear facilities.
Iran pulled a resolution at the UN nuclear watchdog’s annual conference that sought to prohibit attacks on nuclear facilities.
The draft resolution—co-sponsored by China, Russia, and a group of nations including Cuba and Venezuela—condemned the June 2025 Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
“Guided by the spirit of goodwill and constructive engagement, and at the request of several member states,” Tehran had deferred action until next year, Iran’s Ambassador to the UN Reza Najafi told the General Conference on Thursday.
Iran and the other sponsors of the resolution do not wish to place member states in a position of endorsing an unrealistic decision, he said.
The issue will be raised again at the next session of the IAEA General Conference, according to the Permanent Mission of the of Iran.
The withdrawal also comes as France, Germany and the UK have invoked the snapback mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran under resolution 2231. That process is expected to conclude by September 28 unless the Security Council adopts a resolution to preserve sanctions relief.
This comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions, triggered by Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites in June, followed by US attacks on three additional facilities.
However, Tehran says its nuclear program is peaceful.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that the sanctions process was “a done deal,” adding that “The latest news we had from the Iranians is not serious.”
“Some of the accusations are at the level of spreading corruption on earth, and if the court proves them, his punishment will be execution,” Kamran Ghazanfari said in an interview with Iran24, referring to a formal charge in the theocracy's law.
“He has already inflicted enough damage and loss on the country. One example is the nuclear deal, which was entirely a loss. He took pride in it.”
The remarks suggest increasing tension within Iran's ruling establishment as geopolitical uncertainty festers following a 12-day war with Israel in June, new international sanctions loom and economic hardship bites.
Ghazanfari said the previous parliament filed eight complaints against Rouhani which were all forwarded to the judiciary. He accused judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei of failing to act, despite a legal obligation to give such cases priority.
“Was Rouhani tried? Was he punished or not? If so, explain. If not, explain why he has not been tried and punished.”
Ghazanfari also referred to another case sent to the judiciary by late President Ebrahim Raisi’s government, accusing Rouhani of involvement in the disappearance of 48 valuable carpets from the Saadabad Palace.
Rouhani’s office at the time rejected the allegation as a political distraction.
Criticism of nuclear deal
Ghazanfari again attacked the nuclear agreement, calling it “entirely a loss.”
“Rouhani should remain silent, rest at home, and not enter such matters,” he said, arguing that when no legal action is taken “He dares to talk big.”
His comments come as Britain, France, and Germany have triggered the nuclear deal’s snapback mechanism against Iran. Western governments have set conditions, including granting the International Atomic Energy Agency access to enriched uranium stockpiles, with a deadline at the end of September.
Under Resolution 2231, sanctions will automatically return after 30 days unless the Security Council votes otherwise.
Rouhani defends dialogue
Rouhani has re-emerged in recent weeks to call for reducing confrontation with the West, including the United States.
“Relations with Europe, our neighbors, and the East and the West, even tension with the US, if we can reduce it, if it is in our national interest, what is wrong with that? Not only is it not wrong, but it is also our duty and obligation,” he told advisers in late August.
Rouhani argued that Iran should pursue talks if they advance national interests and security. In comments on August 14, he described negotiations with the United States as necessary and obligatory.
His remarks was in apparent conflict with the supreme leader's position who on the same day warned against advocating talks with Washington. “Agents of America and Zionism sought to create division inside Iran,” Khamenei said.