IAEA Refers Iran's Nuclear File to the Security Council 'for Violating Its Commitments'

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has referred Iran’s nuclear file to the United Nations Security Council. Diplomats stated that the IAEA Board of Governors, which convened in Vienna over the past few days, referred the Iran case to the Security Council due to Iran’s violations of its nuclear obligations. According to Agence France-Presse, citing diplomats, the resolution, which the IAEA had reviewed, was adopted with 23 votes in favor, eight abstentions, and opposition from three countries: Russia, China, and Niger.

The US-European draft resolution discussed by the IAEA emphasized that Iran continues to fail to comply with its nuclear-related commitments, expressing “deep concern” over this situation. As reported by Al Jazeera satellite channel, the draft stressed that the lack of information regarding nuclear materials and the denial of access to Iranian facilities are issues requiring “urgent attention,” reiterating the call for Tehran to promptly comply with the nuclear safeguards agreement. The draft urged Iran to engage seriously and without preconditions in talks aimed at building international confidence, while reaffirming support for reaching a diplomatic solution to the challenges posed by its nuclear program.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif announced that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could trigger the activation of the “Mecca Agreement” for joint defense, signed between Riyadh, Islamabad, and Ankara. In statements to Pakistan’s local Geo TV channel, Asif said the agreement “stipulates that any aggression against one of the three countries is considered aggression against all of them,” emphasizing “commitment to the provisions of the agreement.” He added that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia or the extension of the conflict in Yemen into Saudi territory could lead to the activation of the joint defense provisions of the Mecca Agreement.

He emphasized that the agreement is not aimed at launching attacks on other countries, but rather “is based on the principle of collective defense and responding to any aggression against one of the member states.” The Pakistani Defense Minister noted that Islamabad hopes to regain control of the situation and restore calm.

On another front, Asif said that Islamabad’s mediation efforts to achieve peace between Tehran and Washington are still ongoing, adding that his country is seeking to create an environment that helps ease tensions in the region. He confirmed that there are communications between the parties, albeit indirect, warning that Israel wishes for the conflict between Iran and the United States to continue, but he expressed optimism that peace will be established and prevail in the region.

On the ground, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces destroyed 10 Iranian oil tankers during the past week. In a statement posted on its official X account, CENTCOM said, “The ten tankers we destroyed are part of a secret, multi-billion-dollar network funding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).” It affirmed that “the IRGC’s claims of targeting two U.S. destroyers in the Middle East are completely false.”

Separately, U.S. Central Command announced the destruction of five Iranian oil tankers near Kharg Island two days ago. In a separate statement, CENTCOM said, “U.S. forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil tankers after the IRGC attempted to target a U.S. Navy warship with ballistic missiles twice recently.” It clarified that “the warship successfully evaded the Iranian attack attempts and continued its patrols in territorial waters without any casualties among its personnel.”

Meanwhile, CNN reported, citing unidentified sources, that U.S. efforts are ongoing to develop plans for launching decisive strikes against Iran’s underground nuclear facilities. The sources said, “These underground facilities are likely designed to serve as safe havens for Iran’s nuclear program.”