IAEA Board of Governors
Agenda Item 6(g): NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran
7 June 2023
Statement by H.E Ambassador Ian Biggs, Governor and Resident Representative of Australia to the IAEA
Thank you Chair
Australia remains gravely concerned by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s protracted failure to comply with its NPT Safeguards obligations as outlined once again in [GOV/2023/26].
We note Iran’s partial implementation of commitments in the Joint Statement of 4 March 2023, including Iran’s provision of a possible explanation for the presence of depleted uranium particles at ‘Marivan’. This explanation comes after a delay of three years since the IAEA first raised the issue with Iran. It remains a matter of concern that, based on the Agency’s assessment, Iran conducted testing of shielding in preparation for the use of neutron detectors and nuclear material at this site – activities potentially related to nuclear weaponisation.
Chair
Iran has, to date and despite abundant time and opportunity, failed to substantially engage with the Agency to resolve the outstanding safeguards issues at Turquzabad and Varamin.
This pattern is deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable.
Australia once again calls on Iran to return to full compliance on its safeguards obligations and to immediately cooperate, fully and in good faith, with the Agency.
We also call on Iran to continue to work with the Agency to address the discrepancy in the amount of nuclear material involved in Iran’s dissolution of uranium metal.
Chair
Iran has failed also to lift its unilateral suspension of implementation of Modified Code 3.1. Australia repeats its earlier calls on Iran to fulfill all legal obligations under the Subsidiary Arrangements to its safeguards agreement and fully implement Modified Code 3.1 without further delay.
This entirely unacceptable situation has stood for too long. In its resolution of November 2022 [GOV/2022/70], the Board of Governors again called on Iran to act on an urgent basis to fulfil its legal obligations and to clarify and resolve all outstanding safeguards issues.
Finally Chair
Australia is grateful for the tireless, impartial and professional efforts of the Director General and the Secretariat on implementation of Iran’s NPT safeguards agreement. We welcome the Director General’s commitment to keep the Board appraised of developments and request that GOV/2023/26 be made public.