France, US Tell UN Iran Has Enough Uranium for Nuclear Weapon

European nations with Security Council seats, including France and the United Kingdom, alongside the United States, have alerted the UN that Iran is accumulating uranium sufficient "to manufacture a nuclear weapon."

Citing data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), France's permanent representative to the UN, Jérôme Bonnafont, asserted that "there is no credible justification" for Iran to possess "over 400 kilos of enriched uranium" if not for a nuclear weapon. "This means Iran possesses more than ten 'significant quantities' of highly enriched uranium, according to the IAEA's definition, which is the amount of material from which the possibility of manufacturing a nuclear device cannot be ruled out," Bonnafont told reporters outside the Security Council.

The French diplomat spoke on behalf of the delegations from Bahrain, Denmark, Greece, the United Kingdom, Latvia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, France, and the European Union before the Council convened a session on sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program. "We reaffirm our firm commitment to pursuing a lasting and sustainable diplomatic solution that guarantees Iran will never seek, acquire, or develop a nuclear weapon. Only a credible, robust, and verifiable agreement can viably address the Iranian nuclear issue," he declared.

Bonnafont accused Tehran of having "repeatedly" breached its obligations and of failing to cooperate with the IAEA by not allowing inspectors access to Iranian facilities for "a year." He defended UN sanctions as a means to "limit Iran's capacity to develop and deliver a nuclear weapon."

Minutes later, during the Security Council session, China and Russia again forced a vote on the agenda, arguing the body no longer has a mandate to renew sanctions. However, only Beijing and Moscow opposed, with Pakistan abstaining. The core issue lies in the 'snapback' mechanism for automatic reimposition of sanctions, triggered when a member state reports a significant breach by Iran. In 2025, France, Germany, and the UK requested its activation due to an alleged breach by Tehran. China and Russia sought a six-month extension of the resolution for the gradual lifting of UN sanctions against Iran to gain time for negotiations, but the initiative failed to pass. Tuesday's session once again highlighted the division within the Council on this matter.