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The action could come at the next International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting if Iran does not meet its legally binding safeguards obligations.
The IAEA reports a small decrease in Iran’s 60 percent uranium stockpile, but no progress on the safeguards investigation. In the meantime, the annual U.S. Worldwide Threat Assessment, released after a Congressional hearing March 11, assesses that Iran is not engaged in weaponization activities.
Risks associated with Iran’s nuclear program are heightened by “complexities” in the Middle East, the IAEA chief said.
Escalating regional tensions could push Tehran to determine it needs a nuclear deterrent for security or the United States to miscalculate Iran’s intentions and prematurely use military force against the country’s nuclear facilities. ... Increased monitoring provides greater assurance that any dash to nuclear weapons would be quickly detected and reduces the likelihood of the United States or Israel misjudging Iran’s nuclear activities, a move that could have devastating ripple effects.
In a report, the International Atomic Energy Agency said that Iran is now producing approximately nine kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent uranium-235 per month.
There are growing concerns about Iran's continued enrichment and new nuclear facilities as well as possible missile sales to Russia.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi called for diplomacy with Tehran after the agency reported that Iran increased its production of uranium enriched to near weapons grade. Grossi also criticized Iran for restricting cooperation with the agency.
Although the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency condemned Iran’s failure to implement its safeguards obligations, the agency’s Board of Governors took no action against Tehran at its November meeting.
Forty-eight states, concerned about Iran’s export of missiles and drones to Russia and other countries, affirmed plans to work to limit the transfers.
Despite Tehran’s decision to release five jailed Americans and slow a key nuclear activity, it is unclear if Iranian-U.S. tensions will deescalate.
A group of states is threatening further action against Iran if it does not cooperate with safeguards-related inquiries from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The United States and Iran took steps to de-escalate tensions over the past few weeks, but it is unclear if the progress will lead to a resumption of talks over Iran’s advancing nuclear program. Meanwhile, the E3 will keep in place certain sanctions on Iran and the IAEA states current safeguards issues remain unresolved.
Despite evidence that Iran exported drones to Russia in violation of Security Council restrictions, a probe appears unlikely after the UN Secretariat did not act on a similar request last year.
The two sides are unlikely to restore the 2015 nuclear deal but they could take steps to reduce tensions.