VIENNA— The International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors on Wednesday referred Iran to the United Nations Security Council for the first time in 20 years, citing Tehran’s failure to cooperate with a long-running investigation into uranium traces discovered at undeclared sites.

The resolution, introduced by the United States, Britain, France and Germany, was approved by the 35-member IAEA Board of Governors with 23 votes in favor. China, Russia and Niger voted against it, while eight countries abstained and one country did not vote.

The decision marks a significant escalation in international pressure on Iran over its nuclear activities. The IAEA has been unable to fully verify Iran’s nuclear material and activities at several sites, particularly following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Western governments have expressed concern that uranium traces found at previously undeclared locations could indicate that Iran conducted undisclosed nuclear activities in the past. Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons and maintains that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.

The referral to the Security Council could expose Iran to renewed international pressure, including possible sanctions. However, immediate punitive action by the council is considered difficult because Russia and China, both permanent members of the Security Council, have veto power and have opposed the measure.

Iran strongly rejected the IAEA resolution. Iran’s representative to the agency, Reza Najafi, described the decision as politically motivated and accused the IAEA of undermining its own independence and credibility. Iran has also argued that continuing military operations and attacks on its nuclear facilities have made it impossible for international inspectors to safely access some sites.

The IAEA estimates that Iran had approximately 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity before the attacks on its nuclear facilities. Uranium enriched to that level is below weapons-grade material, which is generally considered to be about 90%, but is technically much closer to weapons-grade enrichment than the level required for civilian nuclear power.

IAEA officials have stressed that the size of Iran’s enriched-uranium stockpile does not by itself establish that Tehran possesses or is developing a nuclear weapon. The Security Council referral comes amid a broader escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States and Israel, adding a major diplomatic dimension to the ongoing conflict and increasing international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear program.

Shibbir AHmed, WASHINGTON DC — President Donald Trump has described the ongoing U.S. military conflict with Iran as “small potatoes,” downplaying the scale of a confrontation that has continued for months and resulted in the deaths of 18 U.S. service members.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump said he preferred to describe the situation as a “military conflict” rather than a war, echoing Vice President JD Vance’s argument that the fighting does not meet the definition of a conventional war.

Trump said U.S. military operations have largely involved intermittent airstrikes and emphasized that American ground troops have not been engaged in sustained combat. He compared the current casualties with those suffered in previous major U.S. wars. The president’s comments came as tensions with Tehran remain high and the United States continues military operations against Iranian targets.

Trump threatens further strike

Trump also warned that the United States could strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried nuclear facility, if Washington determines that Iran is moving equipment or taking other action at the site. The president said the United States could act against the facility “quite soon,” adding another potential escalation point in the conflict.

The conflict began on February 28 and has involved repeated U.S. military strikes against Iranian targets, while Iran has retaliated with attacks against U.S. and allied positions in the region. According to reporting cited by AP, the conflict has killed 18 U.S. service members and cost the United States more than $37.5 billion.

Trump says Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons

Trump reiterated that Iran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons under his administration. The comments come amid continuing concerns over Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and the possibility that further U.S. strikes could broaden the conflict.

Trump has repeatedly sought to portray the U.S. military campaign as limited, while the continuing casualties, financial costs and regional consequences have kept the conflict at the center of U.S. foreign-policy and domestic political debate.

Vice President Vance has also defended the administration’s decision not to characterize the confrontation as a traditional war, pointing to the nature of the military operations and the absence of sustained U.S. ground combat.

Trump’s remarks are likely to intensify debate over the administration’s Iran strategy as the conflict continues and the United States approaches the 2026 midterm elections.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC— U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States may strike Iran’s heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain site “very soon,” raising the possibility of a further escalation in the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran. Trump’s remarks came as tensions between the United States and Iran remain high, with Washington continuing military and economic pressure on Tehran.

According to Reuters, Pickaxe Mountain is located near Iran’s already heavily damaged Natanz uranium-enrichment complex. The site contains deeply buried tunnel complexes and has been identified by U.S. and Israeli officials as a location of concern because of its potential connection to Iran’s nuclear activities.

Trump signals possible new strike

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said the United States could target Pickaxe Mountain soon. His comments represent a renewed warning over the facility after he previously threatened military action against the site.

Trump has repeatedly said that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a central U.S. objective. In a separate interview aired this week, he said the United States was closely monitoring Pickaxe Mountain and claimed American surveillance capabilities provide information about activity at the location.

The president’s latest comments do not establish that a strike has been ordered or that one is imminent. They indicate that military action against the site remains under consideration.

What is Pickaxe Mountain?

Pickaxe Mountain, also known by its Persian name Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, is an underground facility being developed south of the Natanz nuclear complex, roughly 225 kilometers (140 miles) from Tehran.

The facility is located beneath a mountain, making it considerably more difficult to attack than above-ground nuclear infrastructure. Satellite imagery and open-source assessments have shown extensive construction and tunnel systems at the site.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has not had direct access to the underground facility, leaving uncertainty over precisely what equipment or nuclear material may be located there.

Why the site is important

The concern surrounding Pickaxe Mountain centers on its potential ability to protect sensitive nuclear equipment underground. Reports have suggested that Iran could potentially move uranium-enrichment centrifuges or other nuclear-related equipment into deeply buried facilities. However, the exact contents and operational status of Pickaxe Mountain remain uncertain.

Trump previously acknowledged that Iran may have moved centrifuges to the site but said the presence of centrifuges alone would not necessarily mean Iran possessed nuclear material there. The facility’s depth also presents a significant military challenge. Earlier reporting has noted that even the most powerful U.S. bunker-busting weapons may face difficulties reaching installations buried deep beneath the mountain.

Comes amid wider U.S.-Iran confrontation

Trump’s latest warning comes amid continuing military confrontation between the United States and Iran. The United States has also intensified economic pressure on Tehran. On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Türkiye-based Golden Global Bank and two subsidiaries, accusing them of helping Iranian financial institutions access international banking networks.

The Treasury said the action was part of Operation Economic Outcast, a broader campaign aimed at disrupting Iranian financial networks and restricting resources that Washington says support Iran’s regional activities. The combination of military pressure and financial sanctions reflects Washington’s continuing effort to pressure Tehran over its nuclear program and other regional activities.

Risk of further escalation

A U.S. strike on Pickaxe Mountain could mark another significant development in the conflict because of the facility’s location and its reported underground construction. Any attack could also increase regional tensions and potentially affect ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran and international mediators.

For now, Trump’s statement indicates that the facility remains under close U.S. surveillance and that military action remains a possibility. Whether Washington ultimately carries out an attack, however, remains unclear. The situation is developing.