The United Nations' nuclear watchdog board has officially declared that Iran is not meeting its nuclear obligations for the first time in two decades, potentially leading to increased tensions and efforts to reimpose UN sanctions on Tehran later this year.

In response, Iran announced plans to establish a new enrichment facility in a secure location, along with other measures in the works. The Iranian Foreign Ministry and Atomic Energy Organization stated that they have no choice but to respond to this political resolution.

US President Donald Trump had previously warned of possible airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities if negotiations failed, leading to some American personnel and their families leaving the region due to escalating tensions. These developments come ahead of upcoming Iran-US talks in Oman.

Nineteen countries on the International Atomic Energy Agency's board voted in favor of the resolution, while Russia, China, and Burkina Faso opposed it. Eleven countries abstained, and two did not vote.

The resolution calls on Iran to provide prompt answers in an ongoing investigation into uranium traces found at undisclosed locations, with Western officials suspecting these traces could indicate a past secret nuclear weapons program.

Following the vote, Iran announced plans to launch a new secure enrichment site and upgrade centrifuges at existing facilities, significantly increasing enriched materials production.

The draft resolution highlights Iran's failures to cooperate with the IAEA since 2019, raising concerns about the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. It also supports diplomatic solutions and encourages all parties to engage constructively in diplomacy.

Despite the seriousness of the resolution, Western nations remain open to diplomacy, with the possibility of further action if Iran does not cooperate. The European nations have threatened to reinstate lifted sanctions if Iran fails to provide credible answers to the IAEA's questions.

The authority to reimpose sanctions under the 2015 nuclear deal expires in October, prompting Western nations to pressure Iran over its nuclear program before that deadline.

The resolution follows a recent IAEA report indicating Iran's unsatisfactory cooperation regarding uranium traces discovered at various sites. This includes a site exposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2018, which Iran denied but was later confirmed by IAEA inspectors.