Vienna: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has referred Iran to the UN Security Council over its refusal to cooperate with nuclear inspectors, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

According to Nam News Network, the symbolic escalation was initiated by the US, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. In a resolution, the IAEA's board of governors expressed "grave concern" that IAEA inspectors have no up-to-date information on uranium stocks and no access to nuclear facilities in Iran. The text emphasized that the issue "needs to be addressed with the utmost urgency".

Tehran is urged to disclose all necessary information to enable the IAEA to confirm that no nuclear material is being diverted for military purposes. Tehran has consistently denied any intentions of developing nuclear weapons. The resolution received support from 23 out of the 35 states on the board of governors.

According to diplomats, Russia, China, and Niger voted against the resolution, while the remaining countries either abstained or did not participate in the vote. Due to the opposition by Moscow and Beijing, it is improbable that the UN Security Council will take immediate action against Tehran.

Tehran has increasingly restricted IAEA inspections following US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal with Iran. Since the initial attacks by the US and Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities last year, Iran has significantly reduced its cooperation with the IAEA.

The agency currently has no access to over 400 kilograms of uranium, which Iran has produced in recent years and is nearing weapons-grade. Inspections remain impossible amidst ongoing military operations, stated Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Reza Najafi.