The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran have issued a joint statement strongly condemning the adoption of a resolution by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which was initiated by the United States and three European countries. The statement reads as follows:
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran condemn the action by the United States and the three European countries in adopting a resolution at the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, considering it another instance of instrumental use of this Board, driven by political motives and devoid of technical and legal basis.”
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always adhered to its safeguards commitments, and to date, none of the IAEA’s reports have made any reference to Iran’s non-compliance with its obligations or any deviation in nuclear materials and activities.”
“Although we consider the IAEA report to be entirely political and biased, these four countries have gone even further, drafting a resolution whose main content even contradicts the political report of the Director General. Since these countries are pursuing their political goals and could not identify any ambiguities in Iran’s ongoing nuclear activities, they have turned to allegations from more than 25 years ago and have attempted to highlight some of them again. This comes despite the fact that all such past allegations were closed in accordance with the IAEA’s November 2015 resolution.”
“These actions by the four countries are being taken while they remain silent in the face of the Zionist regime’s exclusion from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its development of a weapons of mass destruction program, including nuclear weapons. They have also failed to take any action regarding the threats posed by this regime to peaceful nuclear facilities of member states of the NPT.”
“Furthermore, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France have not fulfilled their obligations under Article VI of the NPT, which calls for nuclear disarmament. Germany, for its part, continues to host these deadly and inhumane weapons.”
“This move by the four countries fundamentally calls into question the credibility and integrity of the International Atomic Energy Agency and further reveals the political nature of this international institution.”
“Such a politically motivated approach toward a country that has always honored its commitments and engaged in extensive cooperation with the IAEA leads us to conclude that a policy of engagement and cooperation yields the opposite of the intended outcome.”
“In this context, we extend our appreciation to the member states of the IAEA Board of Governors who voted against or abstained from voting on this resolution, and we condemn and deplore the political actions of the countries that voted in favor of it.”
“As previously declared, the Islamic Republic of Iran has no choice but to respond to this political resolution. Accordingly, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran has issued necessary orders for the establishment of a new enrichment center at a secure location, and for the replacement of first-generation centrifuges at the Shahid Dr. Ali Mohammadi (Fordow) enrichment facility with advanced sixth-generation centrifuges.”
“Other measures are also being planned and will be announced in due course.”
