The following is the full text of the Statement by H.E. Ambassador Kazem Gharib Abadi Resident Representative to the IAEA before the IAEA Board of Governors on Verification and Monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in Light of United Nations Security Council resolution 2231 (2015):
Madam Chair,
Director General,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Since this is the first time that I am taking the floor in this session of the Board, let me begin with thanking you, Madam Chair, the Director General and all those in the Secretariat whose efforts made it possible for us to hold this meeting in a hybrid format.
Madam Chair,
Three years have passed since the unwarranted unilateral decision of the United States to withdraw from the JCPOA, violate United States’ commitments therein, irresponsibly undermine UNSCR 2231 and abhorrently impose the “maximum pressure” policy to directly and adversely affect the normalization of trade and economic relations with Iran. Former U.S president carelessly sacrificed well-established principle of international law, namely Pacta Sunt Servanda, on the altar of his administration’s self-righteousness. The extraterritorial dimensions of the US sanctions, which are in contradiction with international law, prevented even its European friends from implementing their commitments. A simple comparison between the reports of Director General under this agenda item in 2018 and the current report will manifest the difficulties generated as a result of that unjustifiable decision. All 15 quarterly reports of the Director General up to May 2018, and for a year after, clearly stated that Iran was in full compliance with the terms underlined under the JCPOA.
Madam Chair,
Since sanction lifting part of the JCPOA and their effects constitute the essential basis of Iran’s consent to the deal in its entirety, the violations of the US rendered those parts of the deal void and effectively futile. Only one year after the persistent non-implementation of the deal by the US, Iran used its rights under the provisions of the same deal and introduced an incremental policy of partially ceasing implementation of its commitments under the JCPOA. Even in this situation, the Agency was able to verify and monitor the steps that Iran has taken in this regard, which was also labeled as being “exceptional” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the same vein, only after about two and a half years of continued proliferation of economic sanctions against different sectors of Iran’s economy by the U.S and lack of practical actions by the E3/EU in meeting their commitments, on 2nd December 2020 the Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran passed a law which required the Government to stop the implementation of all verification and monitoring activities beyond Iran’s Safeguards Agreement concluded with the IAEA (CSA), including the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol (AP), in case of the continuation of non-compliance by the participants of the deal within two months after the entry into force of the law.
The requirements of the law were unfortunately not met and subsequently implementation of voluntary measures including the Additional Protocol was stopped, but as a result of intensive discussion with the Agency in good-will, a temporary bilateral Technical Understanding, compatible with the law passed by Iran’s Parliament, was reached for a period of up to three months as of 21 February 2021. With the expiration of this Understanding on 24 May 2021, Iran decided not to extend the Technical Understanding this time. Meanwhile, reaffirming the continuation of stop of implementation of voluntary implementation measures including the Additional Protocol, Iran decided to continue recording and keep the 4 data for a period of up to one more month. The new decision was aimed at providing another opportunity for making progress, and eventually concluding the bilateral technical negotiations with the Agency. Iran, once again, for the third time, has opened a new window of opportunity, which needs to be seized both at political and technical levels. Time is of the essence.
Madam Chair,
Iran has engaged seriously and meaningfully in negotiations with the JCPOA participants. The 5 th round of these talks was concluded last week. However, it is important that the outcome of these efforts secures enough assurances that all sanctions are lifted in a verifiable manner and we do not face, once again, the crisis situation in which the US withdraws from the agreement or abuse the mechanisms in the JCPOA and violates all its commitments therein while Iran is in full compliance with the provisions of the deal. It is yet to be observed whether the United States is serious enough and ready to abandon its addiction to use unilateral coercive measures, respect international law, implement its sanctions lifting commitments in a full and effective manner and take all necessary difficult decisions that this might entail. It is crucial that the US stop violations of its obligations under the deal and the UNSC Resolution 2231 without further delay and any pre-conditions.
Iran, on its part, has consistently stated that it will reverse the remedial measures and restore implementation of its nuclear commitments, after other commitments, specifically the sanction lifting commitments enshrined in the JCPOA are implemented fully and effectively in a verifiable manner.
Madam Chair,
At this meeting, once again, almost all the Members of the Agency spoke in support of the preservation of the deal. My delegation is grateful to all who support 5 the revitalization process of the JCPOA. I sincerely urge all relevant parties to contribute constructively, including inter alia through exercising measures to redress the situation, with the aim that these intensive diplomatic efforts would result in a constructive and agreeable outcome.
Madam Chair,
Although this meeting is held in a hybrid format and time-limitation has been set for the statements, I feel much obliged to react to some of the allegations made under this agenda item by representative of Israeli regime; this is a regime which has not yet accepted even a slight percentage of cooperation with the Agency, and the so-called non-proliferation defenders of the world are closing their eyes to its situation. Israeli regime is a unique phenomenon. The indefensible record of this regime in non-accession to and non-compliance with all international norms and standards including in the area of non-proliferation and disarmament, leaves it with no option but to clean its dirty hands by blaming the others. The representative of such a regime is in no position to preach others on something they do not respect themselves.
To conclude, Madam Chair, in reply to the request made by some delegations who asked Iran to cease implementation of its nuclear remedial measures, I would like to clearly state that while Iran is under brutal unilateral sanctions, it cannot be expected to stay idle and do nothing; one should not expect if anyone slaps on the right cheek, we should turn to him the other side as well. The remedial measures are evidently within Iran’s rights in strict accordance with the provisions of the JCPOA, which were taken in reaction to the non-compliance with their commitments by the US, EU and the E3 under the Deal.
I thank you Madam Chair.