Madam Chairperson

The consideration of Iran’s nuclear program has remained at the centre of our efforts in the past few weeks, especially after the attacks that took place in June. 

As you will recall, I referred to them orally and in detail, both here in this Board room and at the United Nations Security Council, as well as in my reports to the Board, which include substantial details about them. 

I have continuously and systematically reached out to Iran in order to address the concerns expressed by them and sought ways to restore the indispensable cooperation between the Agency and Iran. 

We have attentively followed the most recent developments in Tehran, in particular the Parliament of Iran’s adoption on 25 June of a law suspending cooperation with the Agency, which was approved by the President of Iran on 2 July. 

In my dialogue with Iran, I have expressed my readiness to take into account this development while recalling that, while national law may create obligations domestically, it cannot do so for the IAEA.

In this regard, Iran’s NPT Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) (INFCIRC/214) remains in force and is the sole legally binding treaty governing the rights and obligations of the Agency and Iran with respect to safeguards implementation in Iran.

Therefore, the Agency’s safeguards measures continue to apply in Iran as in every other country with a comprehensive safeguards agreement.

Notwithstanding, I recognise the current circumstances and have expressed the Agency’s readiness to consider Iran’s concerns and suggestions insofar as these would be compatible with the CSA. 

And it is precisely this we have been discussing for the past weeks in a series of technical discussions in Tehran and in Vienna aimed at reaching agreement on the practical steps that will be applied to conduct verification activities in Iran pursuant to the CSA.

Progress has been made. It is my sincere hope that within the next few days it will be possible to come to a successful conclusion of these discussions in order to facilitate the resumption of our indispensable work with Iran.

I am confident that with these practical steps in place, other important diplomatic consultations and processes will find a promising ground upon which to advance towards positive outcomes. 

The full implementation of the rights and obligations of the Agency and Iran under Iran’s NPT Safeguards Agreement is indispensable to paving the way towards real improvement in the overall situation. 

There is still time, not much, but always enough when there is good faith and a clear sense of responsibility.

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