Iran, Russia, China reject IAEA resolution as unlawful

• Iran, Russia and China have rejected a US-, UK-, French- and German-backed draft resolution seeking to refer Iran’s nuclear file to the UN Security Council.
• The three countries said the measure would increase pressure on Tehran, undermine Iran-IAEA cooperation and lacked a legal basis for triggering the "snapback" mechanism.

Iran, Russia and China have jointly rejected a draft resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors seeking to refer Iran’s nuclear file to the UN Security Council.

In a joint statement, the three countries described the resolution proposed by the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany as lacking a legal basis and contrary to stated efforts to pursue diplomacy. They called on IAEA member states not to support the measure.

The statement said the draft was aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran and weakening cooperation between Iran and the IAEA, rather than resolving outstanding nuclear issues through dialogue.

Iran, Russia and China also rejected efforts to invoke the "snapback" mechanism linked to UN Security Council Resolution 2231, arguing that its provisions had expired on October 18, 2025, and that attempts to reactivate the mechanism therefore had no legal effect.

The United States, Britain, France and Germany have argued that Iran’s lack of cooperation with the IAEA warrants further action. Their proposed resolution seeks to report Iran to the Security Council over its nuclear safeguards obligations.

The IAEA Board ultimately approved the resolution on Wednesday, with 23 of its 35 members voting in favor. Russia, China and Niger opposed it, while eight countries abstained.

The joint statement also condemned attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, saying the resulting security conditions have prevented the IAEA from carrying out its safeguards activities in Iran under normal circumstances.

The three countries argued that the attacks and continued security risks must be taken into account when assessing Iran’s cooperation with the agency.

The dispute comes amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program following attacks on its nuclear facilities and Tehran’s subsequent restrictions on IAEA access. The agency has said Iran has not provided sufficient access or information to resolve outstanding safeguards questions.