IAEA Board of Governors Meeting
Statement by HE Mr Richard Sadleir, Resident Representative of Australia to the IAEA
Agenda Item 5: Verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council resolution 2231 (2015)
16 June 2020
Thank you Chair,
I would like to express Australia’s sincere thanks to Agency staff who have participated in verification and monitoring activities in Iran during the COVID-19 crisis. We greatly value your determination, rigour, impartiality and professionalism as you have undertaken this important role during a challenging period.
Chair,
It remains a matter of deep concern that the Iranian Government has persisted in its refusal to abide by any of the limits set in the JCPOA.
Australia finds Iran’s wind-back on the basis of ‘less-for-less’ unacceptable and calls on Iran to immediately cease all activities in excess of JCPOA limits. This includes:
- rapid accumulation of enriched uranium, total stockpiles of which have now reached more than 1.5 tonnes, and
- advanced centrifuge research and development activity, which is now far in excess of JCPOA limits, bringing with it irreversible non-proliferation implications.
Chair,
Australia remains of the view that the JCPOA can continue to serve the international community’s interests.
But for this objective to be realised, Iran must recommit itself to the terms of the deal, return to compliance, and engage in constructive diplomatic dialogue.
Australia again strongly urges Iran to reverse its actions and to return immediately to full compliance with all of its obligations under the JCPOA.
Chair,
Australia recognises the ongoing dialogue among JCPOA parties through the JCPOA Dispute Resolution Mechanism, and the substantial efforts of France, Germany and the UK to preserve the JCPOA and its important non-proliferation benefits.
We encourage Iran to engage constructively and refrain from further actions that might jeopardise these efforts.
We again underline that the provisional application by Iran of its Additional Protocol, in accordance with the terms of the deal, remains fundamental to Australia’s ongoing support for the JCPOA.
Chair,
As has long been the case, Australia continues to strongly support the Agency’s work on monitoring and verification in Iran.
Thank you.