IAEA Board of Governors
Agenda Item 4: Verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015)
16 November 2022
Statement by H. E. Mr Richard Sadleir, Resident Representative of Australia to the IAEA
Chair
Australia continues to support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and its non-proliferation objectives. We extend our appreciation to the Agency for its professionalism, impartiality and dedication in respect to its crucial work in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
We note with significant concern the statement in the Director General’s latest report (GOV/2022/62) that the June removal of JCPOA-related surveillance and monitoring equipment has significantly impacted the Agency’s ability to recover and re-establish the necessary continuity of knowledge in the event of a return to the JPCOA.
Chair
Iran continues to upscale its enrichment activities, with stockpiles of enriched uranium at a level an order of magnitude greater than that allowed under the JCPOA. As documented in the Director General’s report, the Agency estimates that Iran’s total stockpile of enriched uranium is currently around 3,700kg.
Of particular concern, this includes 62.3kg of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent U-235 in the form of uranium hexafluoride and 1.6kg of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent U-235 in the form of mini-plates.
Iran has provided no credible rationale for fabricating these mini-plates at 60 per cent enrichment.
Equally concerning is Iran’s continued deployment of new and advanced cascades of centrifuges at its fuel enrichment plants and associated irreversible knowledge gains.
Chair
Australia once again calls on Iran to cease escalatory actions, reverse all steps away from the JCPOA and recommit to full compliance with its nuclear-related commitments under the deal, including implementation of the Additional Protocol.
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/2022/62 be made public.