IAEA Board Refers Iran to UN Security Council Over Nuclear Non-Compliance

The IAEA's Board of Governors voted, for the first time in 20 years, to report Iran to the UN Security Council for failing to meet nuclear non-proliferation obligations, with the US, Germany, France and the UK driving the resolution against opposition from Russia and China. Iran, which has barred inspectors from damaged nuclear sites since US and Israeli strikes last year, called the move part of ongoing US-Israeli aggression and warned of retaliation. Russian and Chinese vetoes make Security Council action unlikely, but the referral formalises an escalating standoff over Iran's nuclear programme and its conflict with Israel and the West.