IAEA Censures Iran: Nuclear Breach After 20 Years

Relevance: GS II International Relations (IR)

Why in News:

Iran was censured by 19 of the 35 members of the IAEA Board for not fulfilling its nuclear non-proliferation obligations.

• France, the United Kingdom, Germany (E3), and the United States moved the resolution. The action comes after an IAEA investigation revealed that Iran possesses enough 60% enriched uranium to produce nine nuclear weapons. 
• The matter might now be brought before the UN Security Council, which has the authority to reinstate sanctions under the nuclear agreement from 2015.

Concerning the Nuclear Deal of 2015 (JCPOA)

Iran and the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

• The United States pulled out of the agreement in 2018, and since then, Iran has been breaking the terms more frequently.
• Goal: To restrict Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.
• UN Support: Supported by Resolution 2231 (2015) of the United Nations Security Council.
• Iran’s primary commitments under the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty (NPT) are to enable IAEA inspections and to cap uranium enrichment.
• Sanctions relief for Iran: the US, EU, and UN lifting the nuclear and weapons bans.

In reaction to the ongoing hostilities with Iran’s nuclear program. Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” is aimed at Iranian military and nuclear installations.

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Practice Question

Question: “The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reflected global consensus on nuclear non-proliferation, but its unraveling has exposed geopolitical fault lines.” Discuss the significance of JCPOA in global nuclear diplomacy and analyze the implications of Iran’s breach for international security.

Mains PYQs

Question: Discuss the efficacy of India’s ‘no first use’ policy (nuclear weapons) in the context of the evolving strategic challenges from its neighbours. (2020)

Prelims PYQs

Note: To take practice tests on Daily current Affairs MCQs, click the link that is attached.

1. In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA safeguards” while others are not? (2020)

(a) Some use uranium and others use thorium 

(b) Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies 

(c) Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises 

(d) Some are State-owned and others are privately owned 

Answer: b

Source: UN nuclear watchdog board finds Iran not complying with obligations

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