IAEA Board of Governors
Agenda item 5(e): NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran
23 November 2023
Statement by Mr Jarrod Powell, Alternate 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 by the Director General once again in his most recent report to the Board.
We note with concern that no progress has been made since our meeting in September to resolve Iran’s outstanding safeguards issues and that Iran appears to have unilaterally ‘frozen’ the implementation of commitments in the Joint Statement of 4 March 2023.
Chair
We strongly condemn Iran’s decision, on the eve of this year’s General Conference, to de-designate several experienced IAEA inspectors. Iran’s de-designation of inspectors seriously affects the Agency’s ability to fulfil its verification mandate consistent with Iran’s NPT safeguards agreement, in particular at enrichment facilities. We call on Iran to remove the de-designation of these experienced inspectors without delay so as not to impede the conduct of inspections as required by Iran’s NPT Safeguards Agreement.
Chair
Iran has failed to substantially work to resolve the outstanding safeguards issues related to the Varamin and Turquzabad sites, despite abundant time and opportunity.
Australia once again calls on Iran to return to full compliance on its safeguards obligations and to immediately cooperate, fully and in good faith of these outstanding safeguards issues.We note that Iran has provided the IAEA updated information on the discrepancy in the nuclear material balance at the Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF). We welcome the advice that the IAEA plans to undertake additional verification activities will be conducted there at the UCF site to assist in addressing this unresolved issued.
Chair
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.
We regret Iran’s failure to agree voluntary monitoring and verification measures proposed by the IAEA under the terms of the 4 March Joint Statement. We urge Iran to engage constructively with the IAEA on these measures.
Satisfactory resolution of all these issues is indispensable to inform the Agency’s understanding of Iran’s nuclear programme.
This entirely unacceptable situation has stood for too long. In line with the Board of Governors Resolution of November 2022 (GOV/2022/70), we reiterate our call on Iran to return to full compliance with its safeguards obligations and to immediately cooperate, fully and in good faith with the IAEA. Strict adherence to IAEA safeguards obligations is crucial to the integrity of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture.
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 apprised of developments and request that GOV/2023/58 be made public.