In March 2025, the Quad (France, Germany, UK, US) addressed the IAEA Board regarding Iran’s continued non-compliance with its NPT Safeguards obligations. They criticized Iran for its refusal to clarify outstanding nuclear issues, highlighted concerns about undeclared materials, and called for urgent cooperation. The Quad emphasized that without substantive progress, the Board may need to declare Iran in non-compliance, reinforcing the importance of transparency in Iran’s nuclear activities.
During the March 2025 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board meeting, UK Ambassador Corinne Kitsell delivered a statement on behalf of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States (the Quad) concerning Iran’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement obligations. The Quad praised the IAEA’s efforts to engage Iran, highlighting the critical need for Iran to clarify outstanding issues related to its nuclear program.
The Quad expressed regret regarding Iran’s five-year refusal to address concerns about detected nuclear material at undeclared sites. They stressed that Iran is legally obligated to cooperate and that continuous denials hinder the IAEA’s ability to ensure that Iran’s nuclear activities are exclusively peaceful. The Quad underscored that failure to cooperate could lead to a finding of non-compliance by the Board.
Further, the IAEA noted troubling activities at multiple sites, including Turquzabad, Varamin, and Lavisan-Shian, emphasizing that Iran’s lack of transparency has impeded their investigations. The Quad reiterated the importance of the IAEA’s technical expertise and the necessity of Iran’s constructive engagement to resolve these outstanding issues.
In addition, the statement highlighted Iran’s continued refusal to provide design information for new nuclear facilities, violating its safeguards agreement. Iran’s rejection of additional experienced inspectors raises further concerns, especially given its history of covert facilities, thus complicating the IAEA’s verification efforts.
The Quad raised alarm over Iranian officials’ claims of the nation’s capability to develop nuclear weapons and called for Iran to fulfill its commitments under the NPT. They insisted on the urgency for Iran to fully cooperate as previous opportunities for dialogue had gone unheeded.
The Quad reinforced the need for the IAEA Board to support efforts seeking clarity on Iran’s nuclear program. Past resolutions urging Iran to cooperate have been ignored, prompting calls for Iran to resume full cooperation urgently. They mentioned a resolution mandating the Director General to provide a detailed assessment of any undeclared nuclear material in Iran.
The statement concluded with a reminder that patience is limited; without credible progress, the Board must be ready to consider declaring Iran in non-compliance. The Quad emphasized the need for transparency concerning Iran’s advancing nuclear capabilities, asserting that continued obfuscation and delay must be addressed.
The Quad’s statement at the IAEA Board meeting underscores significant concerns regarding Iran’s compliance with its NPT Safeguards Agreement. The persistent lack of cooperation from Iran, alongside its refusal to provide essential information, poses a serious threat to international security. As the Quad calls for urgent action, it highlights the necessity for Iran to fulfill its obligations to prevent a potential finding of non-compliance by the IAEA Board, thereby ensuring the integrity of the global non-proliferation regime.
Original Source: www.gov.uk
