Quad statement at the IAEA meeting: Tehran is deliberately disrupting the agency's verification capabilities
The United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany on Thursday issued a joint statement holding Iran responsible for the implementation of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Safeguards Agreement.
The statement affirms that the Islamic Republic is obligated to address the agency's inquiries, a step it has thus far avoided. It contends that Tehran is engaging in delays and intentionally obstructing the agency's verification capabilities.
The expulsion of several designated IAEA watchdogs by Iran is also interpreted by Western nations as indicative of the Islamic Republic's hostility.
In September, Iran implemented a "de-designation" of inspectors, excluding one-third of the core group designated by the UN for inspections in Iran. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the head of the IAEA, characterized this action as "disproportionate and unprecedented."
Defending Tehran's decision, Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, responded that this was due to the inspectors “politicizing” Iran’s dossier. Last month, Eslami stated that Western nations are employing the United Nations' nuclear watchdog as a tool to exert pressure on Tehran, warning that such a politically charged approach will not be left unanswered.
Iran has yet to furnish credible technical explanations concerning the detection of uranium particles of human origin in Varamin and Torquzabad. Additionally, the current whereabouts of the contaminated atomic materials and equipment remain undisclosed.
Concerns over Islamic Republic's behaviour are widely shared, among a group of 63 Member States. The statement warns: " If Iran fails to implement the essential and urgent actions contained in the November 2022 Resolution, the Board will have to be prepared to take further action in support of the Secretariat to hold Iran accountable in the near future, including the possibility of additional resolutions".
Reuters reported last week that confidential IAEA documents reveal Iran possesses sufficient uranium enriched to 60% purity, enough for the production of three nuclear bombs, and continues to exhibit non-cooperation with the agency on crucial matters.
