UN nuclear watchdog’s board of governors finds Iran isn’t complying with its nuclear obligations

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has, for the first time in nearly two decades, formally declared Iran in breach of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations by approving a related resolution.

On Thursday, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog adopted a resolution, with 19 in favor and 11 abstentions, finding Iran non-compliant with its safeguards since 2019.

A May 31 report by the agency identified uranium traces at four previously undeclared sites, concluding three were tied to a covert nuclear program carried out into the early 2000s.

In response, Iran's foreign ministry and national atomic energy agency announced the country will build a new uranium-enrichment facility "in a secure location," and condemned the IAEA's resolution, saying it "completely called into question the credibility and prestige" of the nuclear watchdog.

The recent vote comes as Oman announced on Thursday that the United States and Iran will hold a sixth round of talks over Tehran's nuclear program on Sunday.