Condemning Iran's failure to comply with its international nuclear obligations.
This House resolution (H. Res. 398) condemns Iran’s alleged failure to comply with its international nuclear safeguards obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and supports continued IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) monitoring. It characterizes Iran as lacking transparency and failing to resolve outstanding safeguards issues, including undeclared nuclear material at multiple sites. The measure urges Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA, reinstate and grant unfettered access to inspectors, and comply with its NPT safeguards obligations. It also calls the United States, with its allies, to pursue diplomatic and economic measures to hold Iran accountable, and it endorses ongoing IAEA engagement with Iran. Importantly, the resolution warns that if diplomacy fails or if Iran withdraws from the NPT or intelligence indicates it has crossed a nuclear threshold, Congress should consider taking “all necessary and appropriate steps” to authorize the use of U.S. armed forces against Iran. It also encourages triggering the UN Security Council’s “snapback” using the E3 partners (UK, France, Germany) before the mechanism expires in October 2025. Overall, the bill is a non-binding policy statement that signals a hardline stance on Iran’s nuclear program and outlines potential future steps, including the possible use of military force, if certain conditions are met.
Key Points
- 1Condemns Iran for noncompliance with IAEA safeguards and for lack of transparency about its nuclear program; notes outstanding safeguards issues and undeclared nuclear material.
- 2Reaffirms support for the IAEA Director General’s monitoring efforts; urges Iran to cooperate fully, resolve outstanding issues, and end pursuit of nuclear weapons.
- 3Demands Iran reinstate IAEA inspectors and provide them full, unfettered access to all relevant nuclear sites.
- 4Calls on the United States, with international allies, to use all necessary diplomatic and economic measures to hold Iran accountable for violations of its nuclear commitments.
- 5Allows for a future decision by Congress on authorizing the use of United States Armed Forces against Iran if international efforts fail, Iran withdraws from the NPT, or intelligence indicates Iran has crossed the nuclear threshold; also urges pursuing UN Security Council “snapback” before October 2025.