WANA (Jun 07) – The Islamic Republic of Iran has released its views and observations regarding the recent report of the Director General to the IAEA Board of Governors (GOV/2025/24), emphasizing: The Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) with the Agency remains in effect, Iran is fully committed to it, and continues to adhere to its legal obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

 

Iran’s explanatory note concerning the Director General’s report to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, titled “Verification and Monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015)” (GOV/2025/24, 31 May 2025), has been published.

 

The full text of the note is as follows:

Explanatory Note on the Director General’s Report to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency

 

Titled: “Verification and Monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015)”
(GOV/2025/24, 31 May 2025)

 

The Islamic Republic of Iran wishes to share its views and observations regarding the Director General’s report to the IAEA Board of Governors (GOV/2025/24) as follows:

 

General Observations

 

1. The report on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 continues to contain unnecessary details and mostly sensitive classified information that, according to Article 5 of Iran’s Safeguards Agreement (INFCIRC/214), should not be published without Iran’s consent. Iran has repeatedly objected to this approach through statements, explanatory notes, and letter No. 684086 (dated 4 February 2021, published as INFCIRC/954 on 9 February 2021). That letter stated:

 

A. “…The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that obtaining Iran’s consent prior to the publication of the Director General’s reports is essential. Otherwise, the Secretariat and the Board of Governors would be in breach of the confidentiality principle and would bear legal responsibility for such conduct.”

 

B. This unlawful practice must be discontinued.

 

2. The separation of issues into two distinct reports (JCPOA and NPT Safeguards) has not been maintained. JCPOA-related matters appear in the NPT Safeguards report, and vice versa. The JCPOA, including by the UN Security Council, was designed and endorsed as a unique political and diplomatic package.

 

This renders it a distinct legal regime, and its provisions should not be used to redefine obligations under other legal instruments such as the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA). This separation preserves the legal integrity and normative stability of both the NPT and JCPOA frameworks. This clear distinction must be observed in all reports by the Director General.

 

3. The failure of the three European countries to lift sanctions on the Transition Day (18 October 2023, as per Annex V, paragraph 20 of the JCPOA) constitutes a clear non-compliance with both the JCPOA and UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Such obstinacy is a telling example of their approach toward fulfilling commitments, which at best can be described as negligent and reluctantly executed.

 

4. Iran confirms that the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) with the Agency remains in force, it is fully committed to it, and continues to comply with its legal obligations under the NPT framework. Any conclusions regarding the Agency’s inability to provide assurances about the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program must be strictly confined to the voluntary verification measures under the JCPOA and must not extend to assessments under the CSA.

 

5. Iran remains committed to constructive engagement with the Agency and reiterates that full resumption of voluntary verification measures under the JCPOA depends on reciprocal compliance by all parties. Until that time, the Agency is expected to maintain its reporting within the legal framework of Iran’s safeguards obligations, refrain from aligning legal conclusions with political circumstances, and most importantly, avoid exceeding the explicitly defined mandate granted to the Agency under UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

 

6. Regarding paragraph 32 of GOV/2025/24, which states that “Iran’s decision to dismantle all Agency equipment previously installed in Iran for JCPOA-related monitoring and surveillance has had detrimental consequences for the Agency’s ability to provide assurances about the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program”, there is no legal basis for this claim under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

 

A clear distinction must be maintained between the legal obligations of Member States under relevant safeguards agreements and their voluntary commitments, to ensure that such voluntary measures are not transformed into legally binding safeguards obligations. In this context, the Agency is expected to uphold this principle, which is essential for preserving its Statute and the governing relationship under the relevant CSA.

 

7. Concerning paragraph 33 of GOV/2025/24, Iran’s voluntary and temporary implementation of the Additional Protocol ceased following the unlawful withdrawal of the United States from the JCPOA, in accordance with legislation enacted by the Parliament. The suspension of the Additional Protocol is Iran’s inherent right under paragraphs 26 and 36 of the JCPOA. It must not be forgotten that the implementation and possible ratification of the Additional Protocol by the Parliament is contingent upon the successful implementation of the JCPOA.

 

8. Regarding paragraph 34 of GOV/2025/24, it must be emphasized that under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, there is no limitation on the level of enrichment. Fuel cycle activities, including enrichment, as part of Member States’ national policies, are well recognized by NPT Review Conferences and other UN fora.

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, attended an exhibition showcasing Iran’s latest achievements in nuclear technology at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) on April 17, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency