WANA (Sep 13) – Iran’s representative to international organizations in Vienna, in a statement at the Board of Governors meeting, explained the Director General’s quarterly report on Iran’s nuclear program. He criticized the political considerations of some members in evaluating technical assessments, stating that while Iran is willing to engage constructively with the Agency, it is also prepared to respond firmly to unconstructive positions and actions.

 

“Mohsen Naziri Asl,” Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN Office and other international organizations in Vienna, reading a statement at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting, referred to recent talks between “Rafael Grossi,” Director General of the Agency, and “Masoud Pezeshkian,” President of Iran. He said: “We hope that these interactions pave the way for greater cooperation to resolve remaining issues and move toward a better position that serves the objectives outlined in the Agency’s Statute.”

 

In this statement, delivered on the last day of the quarterly Board of Governors meeting, Naziri Asl addressed the Agency’s reports and the implementation of safeguards in Iran, emphasizing that the meeting is taking place at a time of negative regional and international developments. These include the continued impunity of the Israeli regime for killing innocent people in Gaza and the assassination of “Ismail Haniyeh” in Tehran, as well as the U.S. and its allies’ disregard for their obligations under various international agreements.

 

He stressed that today, with significant challenges to the implementation of commitments under the UN Charter, the international body is facing increased pressures. It is unfortunate and concerning that the shortsighted policies of some have now replaced the law, where respect for the rights of all independent countries under the UN Charter and international law should prevail.

 

The Iranian representative further stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran continues its constructive technical cooperation with the Agency based on its rights and obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA). Iran has consistently adhered to its commitments under the CSA, including maximum cooperation with the Agency in carrying out its verification activities. Iran has been subject to some of the Agency’s most stringent verification and monitoring activities.

 

Naziri Asl also raised points about Grossi’s quarterly report on Iran’s nuclear program, noting that, under the joint statement between Iran and the IAEA on March 4, 2023, Iran demonstrated goodwill by allowing the installation of nine surveillance cameras and two monitoring devices for enrichment. In addition, Iran permitted the Secretariat to adjust, service, and store the recorded data from these cameras. The Board of Governors should recognize this progress as a result of bilateral cooperation with the Agency. There should be a clear distinction between the legal obligations of members under their safeguards agreements and voluntary actions, to ensure that these voluntary responsibilities do not become legal safeguards commitments. The draft resolution lacks this necessary distinction between obligations under the safeguards agreement and voluntary responsibilities.

 

Regarding the remaining safeguards issues, Naziri Asl mentioned that Iran’s cooperation with the Agency enabled the resolution of issues related to one location, as noted in the June report of the Director General. Engagement with the Agency continues to address the remaining safeguards issues concerning two other sites. Therefore, accepting fabricated documents and false information from a third party leads to incorrect and unreliable assessments by the Agency. The Agency’s evaluations, without considering other possible reasons and rushing to conclusions about the storage of nuclear materials and equipment at these alleged locations, are not