IAEA Board of Governors: 12 September 2017
Statement by HE Dr Brendon Hammer, Resident Representative to the IAEA
Agenda Item 6: Verification and Monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015)
Thank you, Chair.
Australia thanks the Director General for his report of 31 August contained in GOV/2017/35.
We welcome the continued implementation of the JCPOA by all Parties, and we value the crucial technical role of the Agency in monitoring and verifying Iran’s compliance with its nuclear related commitments under the JCPOA.
We welcome the Director General’s advice on 31 August that Iran’s nuclear-related activities have been carried out within the parameters agreed under the JCPOA during the most recent reporting period.
Chair,
Australia also welcomes the Director General’s advice that Iran continues provisionally to apply the Additional Protocol to its Safeguards Agreement, pending entry into force, and that complementary access has been provided.
Australia is pleased that the report provides updates on Iran’s LEU and heavy water stockpiles, and that these have remained under the prescribed limits since the last report.
In this regard, we note that Iran’s stockpile of LEU stands at 88.4kg and that it retains 111 metric tonnes of heavy water, and we note in particular that these quantities remain within the limits set by the JCPOA, and reflect the decisions of the Joint Commission.
We also note that Iran’s Heavy Water Production Plant has restarted since the last update, and that 19.1 tonnes of heavy water has been verifiably transferred to a destination outside Iran.
We welcome advice that Iran has continued to inform the Agency about the inventory and production of heavy water at the Heavy Water Production Plant.
We further note that Iran continues to facilitate the work of the Agency, including by permitting the use of on-line enrichment monitors, electronic seals and other remote monitoring devices, and by providing appropriate visas and working spaces for Agency inspectors.
Chair,
Australia continues to support the JCPOA as the best available mechanism to assure the international community of Iran’s commitment to an entirely peaceful nuclear program.
In this regard, it is of vital importance that all parties to the Agreement pay scrupulous attention to the implementation of their commitments.
Australia appreciates the regular reporting provided to the Board of Governors, through the Director General’s written report and the associated technical briefing.
We commend this work of the Agency, and maintain our request for a continued high level of transparency.
Regular and detailed technical assessments provide important assurance of Iran’s compliance, and they underpin the Agency’s verification and monitoring role.
A clear, sustained and detailed record of cooperation between the IAEA and Iran will help build confidence in Iran’s nuclear program and in the role of the Agency.
This is in the interests of the IAEA, the international community and Iran.
Australia supports the public release of the Director General’s report GOV/2017/35.
Thank you.