Australian Embassy and Permanent Mission to the United Nations
Austria
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia

NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran

IAEA Board of Governors Meeting

11 March 2020

Statement by HE Mr Richard Sadleir, Resident Representative of Australia to the IAEA

Agenda Item 6 (e): NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran

 

Thank you Chair,

At the outset, I would like to underline Australia’s strong support for the Director General and the verification work of the Agency, and in particular its judgement in bringing important matters of this nature to the attention of the Board.

We greatly value the rigour, professionalism and independence that the Agency and its staff continue to bring to their verification responsibilities.

Chair

Strict adherence to IAEA safeguards obligations is a critical element of global nuclear non-proliferation architecture.

Iran’s failure to cooperate with the Agency’s requests for clarification and access to two locations, in accordance with its obligations under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and the Additional Protocol, is a matter of serious concern.

We urge Iran to address this issue immediately, to comply with its safeguards obligations without delay, and to cooperate fully with the Agency.

We welcome the Director General’s commitment to keep the Board apprised of developments, and ask that he does so as he deems pertinent and appropriate.

Thank you.