IAEA Board of Govenors Meeting
Agenda Item 8e: NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran
8 June 2022
Thank you Chair
Strict adherence to IAEA safeguards obligations is a critical element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture.
We once again call on Iran to comply with its safeguards obligations and immediately cooperate, fully and in good faith, with the Agency.
Chair,
As outlined in significant detail in GOV/2022/26, the Islamic Republic of Iran has continuously failed to provide technically credible explanations for the presence of nuclear material of anthropogenic origin at three undeclared locations – Turquzabad, Varamin and Marivan. This is despite extensive efforts by the Director General and Secretariat to provide Iran with ample time and opportunity for such explanations.
Australia is deeply troubled that Iran has failed to resolve these issues and that the Agency does not know the current location of the undeclared nuclear material.
We concur with the Director General’s assessment that unless and until Iran provides technically credible explanations in relation to the Agency’s findings, the correctness and completeness of Iran’s declarations under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement cannot be confirmed.
This situation has persisted now for over two years. In fact, the only reasonable conclusion is that Iran has no intention of providing full explanations because doing so would make clear that it knowingly acted contrary to its safeguards obligations. This is deeply disturbing, completely unacceptable and compels the Board to action.
Chair,
For these reasons Australia strongly supports the resolution submitted by France, Germany, the United Kingdom and United States, and encourages other Board Members to do likewise.
Chair,
I would like to underline Australia’s strong support for the professional and impartial efforts of the Director General and the Secretariat to provide assurances of the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.
Australia welcomes the Director General’s commitment to keep the Board appraised of developments.
We request that GOV/2022/26 be made public.