Draft resolution on Iran introduced at UN International Atomic Energy Agency

A draft resolution concerning Iran was introduced today at a special meeting of the Board of Governors of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.

A UN spokesman in New York said discussions on the text will continue tomorrow.

The Board meeting was requested last month by France, Germany and the United Kingdom – the so-called “EU-3” – after Tehran broke IAEA seals on equipment used to produce enriched uranium.

Last September, the Board of Governors found that Iran’s breaches of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) were within the competence of the Security Council, which can impose sanctions, but did not refer the matter to the 15-member body.

In New York today, the current President of the Council, Ambassador John Bolton of the United States, said he would not comment on the IAEA’s meeting until it was concluded.

“As long as this is before the IAEA, that’s what the discussions should focus on, and what happens when it comes here will be discussed after the IAEA vote,” he said.

Offering his view as the representative of the US, Mr. Bolton noted that Washington has for three years wanted to place Iran’s clandestine nuclear weapons programme on the agenda of the Council.