Israel-Iran latest: Trump partially evacuates US embassy ahead of possible Israeli attack on Tehran – UK Times

Iran has announced counter-measures after the UN’s nuclear watchdog formally declared Tehran to be in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years.

In a statement carried on Iranian state TV, the Iranian government said the resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was a “political decision” without technical or legal foundations.

Counter-measures include the opening of a new enrichment site and the upgrade of centrifuges in the Fordow nuclear facility.

“Iran’s many failures to uphold its obligations since 2019 to provide the agency with full and timely co-operation regarding undeclared nuclear material and activities at multiple undeclared locations in Iran … constitutes non-compliance with its obligations under its safeguards agreement,” the draft resolution says.

The UN nuclear watchdog has formally found that Iran is not complying with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years.

Nineteen countries on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) board voted for the resolution, which renewed a call on Iran to provide immediate answers about uranium traces found at several locations that it has failed to declare as nuclear sites.

Russia, China and Burkina Faso opposed it, 11 abstained and two did not vote, according to the Associated Press.

The move could lead to further tensions and set in motion an effort to restore sanctions on Tehran later this year.

Armoured vehicles belonging to Iraqi security forces have been pictured outside the US Embassy in Baghdad on Thursday.

Non-essential personnel have been withdrawn from the embassy, a key diplomatic post in the region for Washington, over rising fears that Israel will strike Iran.

There are fears that US facilities in the Middle East could be the target of a retaliation by Iran if a wider regional war erupts.

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The State Department said it had ordered the departure of all non-essential personnel and their dependents from its embassy in Baghdad.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has also authorised the voluntary departure of military dependents from Bahrain and Kuwait.

It comes as negotiations to reach a nuclear deal with Iran have stalled, with US intelligence suggesting that Israel could launch an attack on Tehran’s nuclear programme.