The International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors has approved, for the first time in 20 years, a resolution referring Iran’s nuclear file to the UN Security Council over what it described as Tehran’s “non-compliance” with its nuclear obligations.
The resolution was adopted with 23 votes in favor, eight abstentions and three votes against, with Russia, China and Niger opposing the measure. The diplomatic escalation came as the military confrontation between the United States and Iran widened at sea, with Washington targeting five Iranian oil tankers in the largest exchange of attacks on shipping since the conflict began more than six months ago.
The US Central Command said four Iranian tankers were targeted in the Gulf of Oman and a fifth near Kharg Island, following two ballistic-missile attacks against a US warship over the previous two days. CENTCOM released video footage showing vessels engulfed in flames before sinking.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard also confirmed that five tankers had been targeted. Washington said the tankers were part of an Iranian “shadow fleet” used to finance the Revolutionary Guard and groups allied with Tehran across the region.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington had adopted a policy of targeting Iranian oil tankers in response to attacks or attempted attacks against US warships. “Iran continues its attempts to target American warships, and every time it does so or tries to do so, it will lose oil tankers,” Rubio told reporters during a visit to Colombia.
Iran threatens wider maritime response
Iran has threatened to expand its response, with the Revolutionary Guard claiming it had targeted two US ships, eight oil tankers and 10 other vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency.
Iranian state television separately reported that two US destroyers equipped with cruise missiles and Aegis missile-defense systems had been targeted by ballistic missiles.
CENTCOM said all Iranian attempts so far to strike US warships had failed. The Revolutionary Guard warned that further US attacks would trigger a broader response, saying that if two or three Iranian targets were struck, Iran would retaliate against 20 targets.
Iran has also announced plans to establish a restricted maritime zone near the Strait of Hormuz within days. The Guard said the zone would extend into parts of the Gulf of Oman and waters beyond it, with its exact coordinates to be announced later.
It warned that vessels entering the designated area without prior coordination would face consequences.
Iran sets conditions for ending conflict
Iranian Revolutionary Guard spokesman Hossein Mohebi, quoted by Fars News Agency, said Tehran would consider ending the confrontation only if the United States completely stopped the war and met several additional conditions.
These include an end to threats, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, an end to the blockade of Yemen, the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, and an end to what Tehran describes as foreign interference in Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
Jordan reports interception of Iranian missiles
Meanwhile, Jordan’s military said its air defenses responded to 20 ballistic missiles launched from Iran toward the kingdom, intercepting 18 of them. The remaining two missiles fell in desert areas, with no casualties reported.
The latest developments underline the widening regional impact of the US-Iran confrontation, with the nuclear dispute now returning to the UN Security Council while military tensions increasingly center on shipping and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
