IAEA chief: "Era of consensus on Iran at UN is over"

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has stated that the long-standing consensus within the United Nations Security Council on Iran has effectively collapsed and is unlikely to be restored for a prolonged period.

Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations, Grossi said that prior to 2016 or 2017, resolutions concerning Iran were frequently adopted by consensus within the Security Council, often without the need for a formal vote.

“But that consensus has disappeared. And I do not see it returning, possibly for a very, very long time,” he said.

Grossi indicated that the Security Council’s approach is expected to shift going forward, with members likely to adopt a more “pragmatic” stance. Instead of pursuing broad-based agreements, the Council may increasingly address issues individually on a case-by-case basis.

By Tamilla Hasanova