Iran’s NPT Safeguards Agreement Implementation: Quad’s Key Statement to IAEA Board of Governors, September 2026

The representatives from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States extend their gratitude to the Director General for the recent reports and commend the ongoing efforts of the Agency to ensure Iran’s compliance with safeguards and to verify adherence to relevant UN Security Council resolutions. We reaffirm our unwavering support for the Agency’s professional, independent, and impartial work, which is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the global safeguards framework established under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Critical Developments Concerning Iran

This meeting of the Board occurs at a pivotal moment regarding Iran’s nuclear programme. In June 2022, one year after Iran was identified as being in non-compliance with its NPT Safeguards Agreement, the Board adopted a resolution urging Iran to fulfil its legal obligations and restore full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The resolution specifically called for Iran to promptly address its non-compliance and to allow the Agency the necessary access to verify the status of its nuclear activities.

Regrettably, three months later, it is evident that Iran has again opted to ignore the concerns raised by this Board. The Director General’s report highlights the extent of Iran’s violations: during the reporting period, the Agency received no information from Iran concerning the status of any of its declared nuclear facilities or nuclear materials. Furthermore, Iran has continued to obstruct Agency inspections, with no access to any declared nuclear facilities since June. We echo the Director General’s profound concern regarding the Agency’s lack of access and the absence of information regarding Iran’s fourth declared enrichment facility in Isfahan, the precise location of which remains unknown, and no access has been granted for review of its design information.

Concerns Over Nuclear Material Verification

Due to Iran’s refusal to cooperate, the Agency has indicated its inability to verify that there has been no diversion of nuclear material. It is alarming for all Members of this Board that for over a year, the Agency has lost all visibility over Iran’s stockpile of Highly Enriched Uranium. The Director General’s report states that the lack of access to verify this material “is a matter of proliferation concern and of compliance with Iran’s NPT Safeguards Agreement, and needs to be addressed with the utmost urgency.” This situation serves as a stark reminder of Iran’s long-standing record of non-cooperation with the Agency.

Iran continues to neglect its engagement with the Agency concerning unresolved safeguards issues and is failing to implement modified Code 3.1 of its NPT Safeguards Agreement, contrary to its legal obligations, while simultaneously developing new facilities. Moreover, Iran continues to overlook the resolutions of the Security Council and this Board that call for the immediate implementation and ratification of its Additional Protocol.

The Implications of Security Council Resolutions

One year ago, the Security Council opted to reinstate six resolutions that, among other stipulations, require Iran to suspend all activities related to uranium enrichment, reprocessing, and heavy water projects, all to be verified by the IAEA. Despite Iran’s attempts to undermine the legitimacy of these resolutions, their provisions represent a clear, legal, and operational reality. We express our regret that the Agency has been unable to verify Iran’s compliance with these obligations.

While we acknowledge that the Agency’s verification activities in Iran have been affected by safety concerns, it is important to note that the Agency has consistently confirmed there are no current technical or nuclear safety reasons preventing inspectors from accessing Iran’s affected nuclear facilities. The Agency stands ready to resume its safeguards activities in Iran at short notice. We emphasise that safeguards obligations are non-negotiable, and the implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement cannot be suspended under any circumstances.

Upholding the IAEA’s Authority

This Board must not overlook the serious conclusions drawn in the Director General’s report. No state party to the NPT should be permitted to obstruct the IAEA and disregard the numerous resolutions adopted by both this Board and the Security Council. The draft resolution introduced by the United States and the E3 seeks to fulfil the procedural requirements mandated by the IAEA Statute following the finding of non-compliance made by this Board in June 2022.

The Board has exhibited patience and prudence by delaying this necessary action for over a year in order to provide Iran with further opportunities to progress and fulfil its safeguards obligations. It is regrettable that Iran has not taken advantage of these opportunities, despite the considerable efforts made by the Director General to engage with Iran and address its concerns. While we proceed with this step to uphold the Board’s obligations under the Statute and maintain the integrity of the safeguards regime, we remain hopeful that, as demonstrated elsewhere in the Board this week, Iran can choose to pursue a different course and collaborate with the Agency in good faith to address the Board’s longstanding concerns, thereby providing the transparency essential to building confidence in the nature of its nuclear programme.

Resolution Adoption and Next Steps

In conclusion, should the proposed resolution, GOV/2026/60, be adopted, we request that it be de-restricted. Thank you.