IAEA Board of Governors
Agenda Item 5: Verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015)
7 March 2023
Statement by H.E Mr Richard Sadleir, Governor and Resident Representative of Australia to the IAEA
Chair
Australia continues to support the non-proliferation objectives of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). We extend our continued appreciation to the Agency for its professionalism, technical expertise, impartiality and dedication in respect to its crucial work in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Chair
We note with alarm the statement in the Director General’s latest report regarding the Agency’s discovery at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant of particles enriched to 83.7 per cent U-235, and the undeclared in advance, and ongoing changes to centrifuge cascades at Fordow that produce high-enriched uranium. This unprecedented activity by Iran is a grave escalation, as is the continued accumulation of uranium enriched to 60 per cent U-235.
Iran has no credible civilian reason to enrich to these levels, and this sends an unwelcome and concerning signal regarding possible intent.
Chair
This comes after a pattern of sustained and concerning escalations in Iran’s nuclear programme. At the same time Iran has been significantly cutting back on its verification commitments.
Iran has not stepped away from the further enhancement of its enrichment capabilities and activities, including the continued installation of new advanced centrifuge cascades, and the stockpiling of low and high enriched uranium -- at an order of magnitude greater than that allowed under the JCPOA. As documented in the Director General’s report, the Agency estimates Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile is currently 3760.8 kg. These are deeply concerning developments.
Chair
Two years have passed since Iran ceased implementation of its monitoring and verification commitments under the JCPOA, undermining the IAEA’s ability to provide assurance of the peaceful nature of Iran’s program.
We urge Iran to implement in a timely manner the verification and monitoring activities agreed in the Joint Statement of 4 March between the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and the IAEA, including the re-installation of additional surveillance systems.
Chair
Once again, Australia calls on Iran to cease its pattern of escalatory actions, reverse all steps away from the JCPOA and recommit to full compliance with its nuclear-related commitments, including implementation of the Additional Protocol.
Chair
Australia fully supports the Director General’s efforts to preserve the Agency’s JCPOA verification and monitoring activities. We request that the Director General continue to report further developments on these matters to the Board and ask that GOV/2023/8 and related interim reports be made public.