Iran Withdraws Draft Resolution on Nuclear Facility Attacks

Iran pulled back a draft resolution that aimed to ban attacks on nuclear facilities just before it was due for a vote at the annual International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting on Thursday. The proposal was co-sponsored by China, Russia, and several other nations.

Western diplomats said the United States applied intense pressure behind the scenes to prevent the adoption of the resolution. Washington also raised the possibility of reducing funding for the IAEA if the motion was passed and if the agency moved to limit Israel’s participation.

Back in 1981, Israel attacked a nuclear reactor in Iraq, which led to the suspension of its role in the IAEA’s technical assistance program. The strike was strongly condemned in resolutions by the UN Security Council, the IAEA General Conference, and the agency’s Board of Governors.

The decision to withdraw the resolution comes at a time when the US and its allies are preparing steps to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran over its nuclear activities.

Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Reza Najafi, explained at the IAEA conference that the draft would be postponed until next year, following requests from several member states and in an effort to show goodwill and constructive engagement.