Quad’s Urgent Call for Iran to Comply with NPT Safeguards Agreement
The Quad’s statement to the IAEA emphasizes Iran’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the NPT Safeguards Agreement, particularly in providing clarifications about undeclared nuclear activities. This ongoing lack of cooperation raises concerns about the nature of Iran’s nuclear program. The Quad urges Iran to comply fully with its commitments, warning that failure to do so may lead to findings of non-compliance by the Board.
In a recent statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Kingdom’s Ambassador Corinne Kitsell, representing France, Germany, the UK, and the United States, emphasized the need for Iran to fulfill its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement. The statement commended the IAEA for its persistent effort to engage Iran on outstanding nuclear issues, particularly those related to undeclared sites.
Kitsell noted with regret that Iran has resisted providing essential clarifications regarding nuclear materials found at multiple undeclared locations for over five years. Despite repeated requests from the IAEA, Iran’s refusal has led to an inability to assure that its nuclear program is solely peaceful, highlighting the critical nature of Iran’s safeguards commitments as part of the global non-proliferation framework.
The report pointed out concerning activities at several undeclared sites, including Turquzabad and Marivan. The IAEA’s inability to resolve these concerns is compounded by Iran’s lack of cooperation, including a refusal to provide credible information about the activities at these locations and context regarding discrepancies at the Jaber Ibn Hayan Laboratory.
Furthermore, it was stressed that Iran has not complied with legal requirements for providing design information for new nuclear facilities and has obstructed the designation of experienced inspectors to assist in verification processes. This refusal raises alarms given Iran’s history of covert nuclear facilities and has affected the IAEA’s verification capabilities.
In summary, the Quad’s recent statement to the IAEA underscores the urgency for Iran to comply with its NPT Safeguards Agreement commitments. Iran’s ongoing lack of cooperation not only raises concerns about its nuclear program but also poses challenges to the integrity of global non-proliferation efforts. The Quad urges Iran to change its course before the Board considers declaring it in non-compliance. The urgent need for transparency and cooperation from Iran remains critical to maintaining international security. Continued support for the IAEA’s work is paramount, as the agency strives to ensure that Iran’s nuclear activities remain peaceful.
Original Source: www.gov.uk
