NPT Safeguards Agreement with Iran: Resolution to the IAEA Board of Governors, November 2024

Thank you, Chair.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

We thank the Director General for his latest report and for the Agency's continued attempts to clarify the outstanding issues related to the implementation of Iran's NPT safeguards agreement. These issues are central to understanding the nature of Iran's nuclear programme. Regrettably and despite countless opportunities over many years, Iran has failed to provide the technically credible information needed to resolve them. We are deeply concerned that as a result of these outstanding issues, the Agency is unable to assure us that Iran's nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful.

We also recall the previous resolutions adopted by this Board. They provided a consistent and clear call to urge Iran to resolve these matters. The last resolution adopted by the Board in June was just the latest opportunity for Iran to take meaningful steps to comply with its legal safeguards obligations. Unfortunately, almost six months later, rather than responding with positive action, Iran has once again decided to respond with threats and provocations, while continuing with its strategy of delay and obfuscation on the long list of outstanding safeguards questions.

The Director General's latest report makes clear that Iran is still not cooperating substantively on the safeguards issues. Iran's record on safeguards is the core issue that is under consideration under this Board item. We should be clear that outstanding issues can only be resolved by Iran's cooperation on those issues.

Since 2019, the Agency has sought to clarify the outstanding safeguards issues and make progress. For nearly five years now, Iran has consistently failed to implement the commitments it has made to the Agency. This includes commitments Iran made in the March 2023 Joint Statement. But we must also recall that Iran failed to implement the Joint Statements of 5 March 2022, 15 December 2021, 12 September 2021, and 26 August 2020, as well. While these statements represented genuine and creative efforts by the Agency to make progress, the promises contained in them have never been fulfilled by Iran. We must also remember that Iran does not need such additional frameworks to co-operate with the Agency to resolve the outstanding issues. Such a framework already exists: the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement Iran signed and ratified, and the legally binding obligations it contains. Further commitments by Iran to continue discussions on these issues in the future, that are not backed up by concrete action, after years of delay and denial, are not sufficient. Words need to be matched by deeds.

Chair,

We are deeply concerned that due to Iran's failure to resolve these issues to date, the Agency cannot provide assurance that Iran's programme remains exclusively peaceful. The IAEA's ability to provide this assurance is central to the integrity of the safeguards system and global non-proliferation regime. As we have said, the outstanding issues and the issue of discrepancy in Iran are not historical - they are active concerns. Resolving them is key to the Agency's ability to verify the implementation of safeguards in Iran today. This is especially true at a time when Iranian officials are resorting to dangerous rhetoric concerning Iran's so-called nuclear doctrine and about its claimed capacity to assemble a nuclear weapon.

Iran's decision not to provide the required information has made it necessary for France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States to jointly propose to the Board the new resolution contained in document GOV/2024/66 to support the Secretariat's effort to resolve these matters.

Our draft resolution contains the following main points:

First, the Board would express continued, strong support for the Agency's professional and impartial efforts in carrying out its mandate to verify the implementation of Iran's safeguards obligations.

Second, the Board would reiterate its concern that Iran has still not provided necessary, full and unambiguous cooperation with the Agency and has not made progress towards the actions in the Board's June 2024 resolution. It would reaffirm the Board's decision, in accordance with Article 18 of Iran's NPT Safeguards Agreement, that it is essential and urgent, that Iran fulfil its legal obligations and take the specific actions called for by the Director General without delay.

And third, the Board would follow its June 2024 resolution which set out that Iran's continued failure to resolve these issues may necessitate the production of a comprehensive report. This resolution would request the Director General to produce such a comprehensive and updated assessment, including a full account of Iran's cooperation with the IAEA, addressing the Agency's ability to verify Iran's implementation of its safeguards obligations, including the non-diversion of nuclear material, for consideration by the March 2025 Board of Governors or at the latest by spring 2025.

Chair,

Iran has not shown any meaningful progress on the outstanding safeguards issues for over five years. So it is important for the Board to be provided a clear and updated assessment of all information available, allowing for consideration of whether further steps are necessary, including potentially making a finding under Article 19 of Iran's NPT Safeguards Agreement.

Chair,

Our objective is to uphold the integrity of IAEA safeguards and the non-proliferation regime. We strongly believe this Board must not, and will not, be intimidated by threats from Iran, or others who echo those threats, that mischaracterise the objective of the proposed resolution. Our ultimate aim - and this is a key point - is to foster progress. As the resolution sets out, Iran's cooperation with the Agency will be reflected in the requested assessment. This comprehensive assessment could therefore include positive and meaningful progress on outstanding issues in the coming months. This resolution is a further opportunity for Iran to provide the technically credible information and substantive cooperation needed to inform the Agency's reports and therefore the next steps on these issues.

Chair,

We have always been clear that if Iran meaningfully cooperates with the Agency, and the Director General is able to report that the unresolved safeguards issues are no longer outstanding, the Board will no longer need to consider this item. We sincerely hope Iran takes this opportunity to meaningfully cooperate with the DG to resolve these outstanding matters so that no further Board action is necessary.

Chair,

Iran has argued that any Board action under this item may undermine efforts to return to a diplomatic solution. We would reiterate that it is Iran that is seeking to politicise its safeguards obligations, which cannot be subject to negotiations. Those safeguards obligations are to produce assurances that can only be established via Iran's implementation of - not discussion about - the necessary safeguards cooperation. The Board's responsibility is to uphold the safeguards regime. By supporting this resolution, the Board underscores its absolute support for the Agency's role within that regime.

Chair,

Our delegations have engaged broadly with Board members to explain our thinking, solicit their feedback, and listen to their views on these matters. We thank those that have already indicated support for this resolution, and request the text be made public, should it be adopted.

Thank you.

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