Thank you, Mr. President.
Allow me to thank the Greek Presidency for promptly convening this meeting and also to thank Director General Grossi for the informative briefing.
The recent decision by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors in Vienna to refer Iran’s long-standing non-compliance with its international non-proliferation obligations to this Council underscores the gravity of the situation we face. The Iranian nuclear programme endangers regional and global peace and security and undermines international non-proliferation norms. Iran has repeatedly failed to meet its international obligations, most notably under the JCPoA, the NPT, and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.
These concerns are compounded by the Agency’s repeated statements that it has lost the continuity of knowledge regarding Iran’s stockpiles of highly-enriched uranium. This is particularly troubling, given previous reports of uranium enrichment to levels of up to 60 percent, which are wholly incompatible with any credible claims of exclusively peaceful nuclear purposes. Iran has denied IAEA inspectors the necessary access to sites related to the country’s nuclear programme.
In response to Iran’s continued non-compliance, the UN sanctions against Iran were reimposed and the 1737 Sanctions Committee was re-established. The Council took this measured step after repeated diplomatic efforts and through the appropriate and legally binding snap-back mechanism. Unfortunately, certain Members of this Council have persisted in advancing legally unfounded claims against these sanctions, obstructing agreement on Committee reports and new listings under the sanctions regime and even vetoing the extension of the Committee’s Panel of Experts’ mandate. This selective interpretation of international law has affected the functioning of the Council’s subsidiary bodies and their ability to carry out their mandated tasks effectively.
Mr. President,
The IAEA is a cornerstone of the global non-proliferation architecture, carrying out its mandate impartially and effectively. If Iran is serious about finding a peaceful long-term solution and securing the eventual lifting of sanctions, it must fully cooperate with the Agency. To date, however, the Agency’s outstanding verification concerns remain unresolved. Full cooperation with the IAEA is essential to creating conditions for a sustainable diplomatic solution.
Furthermore, its neighbours continue to face unprovoked attacks. Its proxy forces are undermining regional security and conflict resolution efforts. Iran’s efforts to hold the global economy hostage by using a vital international waterway as leverage, in flagrant disregard of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, has severely disrupted crucial supply chains and put millions of lives around the globe at risk of food insecurity.
As previously noted, Iran’s actions have implications beyond the region. We strongly condemn Iran’s support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, causing harm to Ukrainian civilians, including through the use of the same types of weapons that Iran has deployed against its neighbours in the Gulf.
Mr. President,
Iran must cease its reckless regional actions and escalatory nuclear programme. We call on Iran to fulfil its non-proliferation obligations and resume full cooperation with the IAEA, including by ensuring its inspectors unrestricted access. We remain steadfast supporters of a comprehensive diplomatic solution to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.
I thank you!