Iran and Russia have jointly called for an urgent emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Board of Governors in response to recent airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear installations. These attacks, carried out by the United States and Israel, have escalated tensions in the region and prompted Tehran to accuse the aggressors of violating international legal frameworks that protect nuclear facilities.
In a formal communication addressed to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Iran’s diplomatic mission in Vienna condemned the strikes as a blatant breach of the United Nations Charter, the IAEA’s founding statute, and established international laws safeguarding peaceful nuclear sites. The letter emphasized the need for an immediate special session of the IAEA Board, urging member states to convene without delay to confront and respond to these unlawful acts against Iran’s civilian nuclear program.
Following Russia’s initiative, the IAEA has confirmed it will hold an extraordinary session of its governing board on March 2, 2026, scheduled just one day prior to the agency’s regular quarterly meeting. The agenda for this special gathering will focus on assessing the legality of the recent strikes, their direct impact on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, and the broader implications for global nuclear security and non-proliferation efforts.
Moscow’s push for this emergency meeting underscores its strong criticism of the US and Israeli military actions. The Russian government has previously denounced the air raids as reckless and contrary to international norms, warning that such unilateral attacks threaten to destabilize global security frameworks and undermine the integrity of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. Russia’s stance highlights the geopolitical complexities surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and the fragile balance of power in the Middle East.
Tehran has consistently maintained that its nuclear activities are strictly for peaceful purposes and fall under the rigorous monitoring of the IAEA safeguards system. Iranian officials reject any justification for military intervention based on their nuclear program, insisting on their sovereign right to develop nuclear technology for civilian use. Meanwhile, the IAEA has stressed the critical importance of promptly verifying all nuclear materials in Iran following the attacks, signaling heightened vigilance amid rising regional tensions.
This demand for an emergency IAEA session adds a significant diplomatic dimension to the escalating conflict. It comes at a time when military confrontations and hostile rhetoric between Iran, Washington, and Tel Aviv continue to intensify, raising serious concerns about the future of international oversight over Iran’s nuclear activities. The outcome of this extraordinary meeting could shape the trajectory of diplomatic engagement and influence the global community’s approach to nuclear security in the region.
