Iran Warns of Retaliation as IAEA Report Accuses Tehran of Secret Nuclear Activities

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – As the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) prepares to convene its Board of Governors meeting on June 9, tensions have escalated between Iran and Western powers over a damning report that accuses Tehran of concealing past nuclear activities and sharply increasing its stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium.

Iranian officials have responded with warnings of retaliation if the meeting is used to further what they describe as an anti-Iran political agenda.

According to a confidential IAEA report circulated to its 35-member board and seen by Reuters, Iran carried out secret nuclear-related activities at three undeclared sites—Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Turquzabad—up to the early 2000s.

The agency concluded that undeclared nuclear material was used at these locations as part of a coordinated program aimed at developing components relevant to nuclear weapons production.

The IAEA’s assessment is likely to prompt a joint resolution by the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany at the upcoming board meeting. As reported by Reuters and The Washington Post, the resolution, if passed, would mark the first formal declaration of Iranian non-compliance in nearly two decades and could lead to a referral to the U.N. Security Council.

At the center of the latest controversy is Iran’s growing stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity—a short step away from the 90% enrichment required for nuclear weapons. A separate IAEA report, also circulated Saturday, notes that Iran now possesses approximately 408.6 kilograms of this material, enough—if further enriched—for the production of up to nine nuclear weapons, according to IAEA benchmarks.

The watchdog called this enrichment level “a matter of serious concern,” emphasizing that Iran remains the only non-nuclear-weapon state enriching uranium to such high levels.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded swiftly. In a phone call with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi on Saturday, Araghchi warned that any “improper political move” at the upcoming board meeting would be met with an appropriate response from Tehran.

As reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Araghchi stressed that Iran’s nuclear program remains under IAEA supervision and in compliance with the Safeguards Agreement. He urged Grossi to reflect Iran’s continued cooperation accurately and to resist attempts by some countries to manipulate the agency for political purposes.

In a separate statement on social media platform X, Araghchi revealed that he had received elements of a new U.S. proposal for a nuclear deal via Omani intermediaries. While expressing openness to reviewing the offer, Araghchi maintained that Iran would not accept any terms requiring it to halt uranium enrichment altogether. “It’s unacceptable for some to impose restrictions on us just because they consider themselves powerful,” he stated.

In a separate statement on social media platform X, Araghchi revealed that he had received elements of a new U.S. proposal for a nuclear deal via Omani intermediaries. According to The New York Times, the proposal—delivered by Special Envoy Witkoff and described as a series of bullet points rather than a full draft—calls on Iran to halt all uranium enrichment and proposes forming a regional nuclear consortium including Iran, Saudi Arabia, other Arab states, and the United States to jointly produce nuclear power.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the offer is “detailed and acceptable,” and in Iran’s “best interest” to accept. The proposal follows recent findings by the IAEA that Iran has stepped up its production of highly enriched uranium. While expressing openness to reviewing the offer, Araghchi maintained that Iran would not accept any terms requiring it to stop enrichment altogether. “Whether or not we need enrichment — and we do — it’s unacceptable for some to impose restrictions on us just because they consider themselves powerful,” Iran's FM was quoted as saying by the Washington Post.

My dear brother @badralbusaidi, distinguished Foreign Minister of Oman, paid a short visit to Tehran today to present elements of a US proposal which will be appropriately responded to in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran. pic.twitter.com/3XyewmFJhD

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 31, 2025

As reported by The Washington Post, the U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that negotiations with Iran had resumed and hinted at a possible agreement. “They don’t want to be blown up,” Trump said bluntly, suggesting that Iran’s willingness to negotiate was driven by U.S. military threats. Trump added that any new deal must include strong inspection mechanisms, with the right to destroy Iranian facilities if necessary.

Israel, meanwhile, responded with alarm. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declared the IAEA report a “clear warning sign,” claiming it validated Israel’s long-held assertions that Iran’s nuclear program is not peaceful. Netanyahu has repeatedly warned of unilateral military action if international diplomacy fails.

According to The Washington Post, Trump advised Netanyahu to delay any strike pending the outcome of U.S.-Iran talks.

The IAEA report details that at Lavisan-Shian in Tehran, Iran used a uranium metal disc in 2003 for experiments involving explosively driven neutron sources—a key element in triggering a nuclear detonation.

Nuclear material and contaminated equipment from the program were stored at Turquzabad until at least 2018. The agency concluded that Iran’s explanations for uranium traces found at multiple undeclared sites remain unconvincing.

Iran continues to deny ever seeking nuclear weapons, citing a religious decree by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei forbidding such arms. Nevertheless, the IAEA’s findings—described by diplomats as some of the most definitive to date—challenge Iran’s assertions and reveal an ongoing lack of transparency.

The June 9 board meeting is now shaping up to be a pivotal juncture. Any resolution adopted could not only reshape U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations but also heighten regional tensions and alter the trajectory of Tehran’s nuclear program.

Whether diplomacy prevails or confrontation escalates, the latest IAEA findings and Iran’s stern warnings make one thing clear: the stakes for global non-proliferation efforts and Middle East stability are higher than ever.