IAEA Board of Governors
Agenda Item 6(d): NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran
8 March 2023
Statement by H.E Mr Richard Sadleir, 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/2023/9].
We note Iran’s high-level assurances of cooperation with the Agency from the Director-General’s recent visit to Tehran. However, Iran’s repeated strategy of offering cooperation only on the eve of Board meetings can no longer be taken at face value or as a sign that it will re-engage meaningfully with the Agency.
Chair
Iran’s has, to date and despite abundant time and opportunity, failed to substantially engage with the Agency or to take actions to resolve the outstanding safeguards issues including at Turquzabad, Varamin and ‘Marivan’.
We note Iran’s failure on other new safeguards issues – including the undeclared modification of centrifuge cascades at Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP) - inconsistent with Iran’s obligations under article 45 of its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.
This pattern is deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable. Australia once again calls on Iran to comply with its safeguards obligations and immediately cooperate, fully and in good faith, with the Agency.
We also call on Iran to cooperate fully and without delay with the Agency to clarify its activities following the alarming discovery of particles enriched to 83.7 per cent U-235 at Fordow.
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 of its legal obligations under the Subsidiary Arrangements to its safeguards agreement and fully implement modified code 3.1 without further delay.
Chair
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 take up the Director General’s offer of further engagement to clarify and resolve all outstanding safeguards issues.
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, including the Director General’s most recent visit to Iran. We welcome the Director General’s commitment to keep the Board appraised of developments and request that GOV/2023/9 be made public.