Washington warned most member states at the annual conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against voting in favor of a draft resolution prohibiting strikes on nuclear facilities, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Vienna reported.

The proposal, advanced by Iran, Russia, China, and other nations, aims to establish clear protections for inspected nuclear sites.

Our correspondent reported that the US administration threatened to halt funding for the agency and even consider withdrawal if the measure were adopted. Diplomats slammed the pressure as unprecedented during a session dedicated to the agency’s work on safeguarding nuclear programs.

Iran: Attacks undermine the NPT

Iran’s representative, Reza Najafi, stated that the IAEA had “remained silent rather than condemning the attacks” on Iran’s nuclear facilities. He warned that Washington’s claim that such strikes were “self-defense” set a “dangerous and unacceptable precedent.”

Najafi said the attacks “struck at the heart of the Non-Proliferation Treaty,” stressing that the perpetrator had not signed the treaty, noting that after these incidents, inspections could not be conducted and that the agency understood the seriousness of this “unprecedented” situation.

Israeli-US attacks 'strongest blow to agency’s work'

Russian envoy Mikhail Ulyanov said the Iranian facilities hit by “unacceptable attacks” were under IAEA inspection, adding that “what Israel and the United States did represents the strongest blow to the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency.”

He welcomed the Cairo agreement between the agency and Iran as evidence of constructive cooperation, urging both sides to rebuild trust and cooperation mechanisms. Ulyanov noted that the resolution banning attacks on nuclear facilities would soon be put to a vote.

Pakistan calls for respect for international law

Pakistan’s representative, Mohammad Qamarul Akhtar Malik, stated that “there is no justification for attacking nuclear facilities,” calling such strikes a violation of international law.

He stressed that the draft resolution presented by Iran was directly tied to the agency’s mandate and its ability to continue safeguarding programs.

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Malik added that Islamabad supports resolving disputes through the peaceful verification tools provided by the IAEA.

South Africa urges dialogue

South Africa’s delegate, Rabolyn Sidney Molikan, emphasized that diplomacy and peaceful means were essential to resolving tensions.

He called on member states to promote dialogue rather than escalation, warning that attacks on nuclear facilities risk undermining international security.

Al Mayadeen obtains draft barring attacks on IAEA-monitored facilities

IAEA member states had convened to vote on a ban against attacking or threatening to attack any nuclear facilities under the agency's safeguards.

The draft resolution, which Al Mayadeen has obtained an initial copy of, will be submitted by Iran along with China, Russia, Belarus, Nicaragua, and Venezuela at the 69th IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria.

The draft resolution states:

"The General Conference,

 

reaffirming the importance of fully and effectively achieving the objectives of the International Atomic Energy Agency, particularly its statutory mandate to accelerate and expand the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health, and prosperity throughout the world;

 

reaffirming the inalienable right to develop research, production, and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination;

 

recalling United Nations Security Council Resolution 487 (1981), which condemned in the strongest terms the military attack on the nuclear facility as a clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the norms of international conduct;

 

reaffirming Resolution GC(53)/DEC/13, as well as Resolutions GC(XXIX)/RES/443, GC(XXIX)/RES/444, and GC(XXXIV)/RES/533, which prohibit any armed attack or threat thereof against nuclear facilities dedicated to peaceful purposes, whether operational or under construction, as this constitutes a serious violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Statute of the Agency;

 

reaffirming the responsibility of all states to refrain from such acts;

 

reiterating that no form of attack or threat of attack shall be directed against nuclear sites and facilities under IAEA safeguards;

 

acknowledging that such attacks pose grave risks to the IAEA safeguards regime, international peace and security, the safety and security of nuclear material, sites and personnel, human health, and the environment, while also jeopardizing the development and peaceful use of nuclear energy and undermining the overall credibility and integrity of the non-proliferation regime;

 

recognizing that all states exercising their inalienable right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes are entitled to effective assurances against any attack or threat of attack on nuclear sites and facilities under IAEA safeguards;

 

reaffirming the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in ensuring that peaceful nuclear activities are not harmed by attacks or the threat thereof, in accordance with its mandate and applicable international legal frameworks;

1. Strongly condemns the deliberate and unlawful attacks on nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which took place in June 2025, stating that these attacks constitute a clear violation of international law, including the UN Charter and the IAEA's own statute;
2. reiterates that all nations must refrain from attacking or threatening to attack the peaceful nuclear facilities of other countries;
3. reaffirms the necessity of the full and effective realization of the inalienable right of all Member States for the development of research, production, and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, without discrimination, and further affirms that any legitimate matters arising in this context shall be settled exclusively through peaceful means, through dialogue and diplomacy, being the only viable course of action;
4. and decides to consider taking further action, as and when deemed necessary.