WANA (Jun 16) – Iran’s permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Reza Najafi, emphasized: When the rights and obligations of NPT members are not upheld in a balanced manner, and some aggressive regimes, without being parties to the NPT, freely engage in aggression and threats against committed members, the continuation of voluntary commitments will no longer be justifiable.

 

Speaking during an emergency meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors—held at Iran’s request and backed by countries including Russia, China, Venezuela, and Pakistan—Najafi delivered a scathing statement just 72 hours after the strike, which he said constituted “a grave breach of international norms.”

 

He strongly condemned the Israeli regime’s act of aggression against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, calling it a clear instance of state terrorism and a blatant violation of the UN Charter and the IAEA Statute.

 

Iran Accuses U.S. of Complicity

Najafi also accused the United States of complicity in the attack, alleging that Washington had prior knowledge and supported the operation through intelligence, political, and material assistance. “The United States was aware of this act of aggression in advance and participated in it,” Najafi said.

 

IAEA’s Silence “Emboldening Israel”

The Iranian envoy sharply criticized what he called the continued inaction of the IAEA and its Board of Governors in response to repeated Israeli threats against Iran’s nuclear sites. He claimed this silence had emboldened the Israeli regime to act with increasing impunity.

 

“This inaction has severely undermined the Agency’s credibility and encouraged Israel to persist in its aggressive behavior,” Najafi warned.

 

Iran Defends NPT Record, Warns of Retaliation

Najafi reaffirmed Iran’s longstanding commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its cooperation with IAEA inspections, despite what he described as “biased behavior” by certain states and Israel’s refusal to join the treaty.

 

However, he cautioned that Iran’s voluntary commitments under the NPT would no longer be sustainable if member states’ rights and obligations are not upheld equitably.

 

“When aggressive regimes operate outside the NPT and freely threaten or attack committed members, continuing voluntary compliance loses justification,” he said.

 

“The Era of Hit-and-Run Is Over”

In a clear warning, Najafi declared that Iran reserves the right to take reciprocal action. “The era of hit-and-run is over,” he stated. “The Islamic Republic of Iran will take appropriate measures, in line with the UN Charter, the NPT, and the IAEA Statute, to defend its people, sovereignty, peaceful nuclear infrastructure, and national interests.”

 

Call for International Condemnation

Najafi urged the IAEA Board of Governors to condemn Israel’s actions in the strongest terms and to hold the regime fully accountable for the consequences of what he labeled a dangerous and destabilizing act.