Statement by Ambassador Takeshi Hikihara at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on 21 November 2019: Item 3: Verification and Monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231(2015)

2019/11/21
Thank you, Madame Chair,

Japan appreciates the Acting Director General’s reports, dated 26th September and 7th, 11th and 18th November 2019 on Verification and Monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231. We also highly value the technical briefing by the Secretariat on the 14th November. The Acting Director General’s reports contain appropriate and sufficient details, which Japan highly appreciates. The details in those reports serve the objective of increasing the transparency of the implementation of the JCPOA.

Japan continues to firmly support the JCPOA, as it strengthens the international non-proliferation regime and contributes to the peace and stability of the Middle East region. From this stand point, Japan has extended technical assistance to Iran’s implementation of the JCPOA. Iran’s steady implementation of the JCPOA is the basis for further cooperation between Iran and the international community, including Japan.

In this regard, our views on the withdrawal of the US from the JCPOA have already been shared at previous meetings.

Madame Chair,

According to the Acting Director General’s recent reports, the stockpile, not only of the LEU but also of the Heavy Water, has exceeded the maximum amount specified in the JCPOA. Uranium enrichment above 3.67% was also confirmed. Moreover, the reports confirm activities beyond the limits in the JCPOA in terms of the centrifuge Research and Development, as well as uranium enrichment at Fordow as was newly announced by the Iranian authority on 5th November. Japan sincerely hopes for an easing of tensions and a stabilizing of the situation in the Middle East region. We are strongly concerned about Iran’s continued reduction of its commitments under the JCPOA. Japan once again strongly urges Iran to fully comply with the JCPOA, to immediately return to its full commitment under the JCPOA and to refrain from further measures that may undermine the JCPOA. Iran should avoid causing any doubt about the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities. Together with the international community, Japan will continue its diplomatic efforts in this vein.

Madame Chair,

It is of great importance that the Agency continues to verify and monitor Iran’s implementation of the Additional Protocol and its other nuclear related commitments under the JCPOA. Complementary accesses are a vital tool to ensure the peaceful use of nuclear related activities, and Iran’s timely and proactive cooperation is required. We recognize that the Secretariat has various safeguards-related information. It is of utmost importance that the Secretariat continues to carry out appropriate safeguards activities, taking account of all available information, and Japan strongly supports the Secretariat’s efforts in this regard. Japan expresses its concern about the situation surrounding the ongoing interactions between the Agency and Iran, reiterated in the paragraph 29 of the Acting Director General’s report dated 11th November. We call upon Iran to cooperate fully and in a timely manner with the IAEA in accordance with its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and the Additional Protocol.

Madame Chair,

We also emphasize the importance of the privileges and immunities of the IAEA inspectors. Their function is crucial for the implementation of any safeguards related measures.

I would like to emphasize that the support of the international community remains crucial, as the Agency assumes an increasingly essential role. It is therefore imperative for the IAEA to secure sufficient resources in a seamless manner. In this context, we look forward to seeing the largest possible number of Member States actively providing financial support to the implementation of the agreement. Furthermore, the implementation of the JCPOA by Iran should be assisted, of which Japan has been contributing in this regard.

Madame Chair,

The exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme and non-diversion must be ensured through the full implementation of the JCPOA. In this regard, the early ratification of the Additional Protocol by Iran is essential. Japan hopes that the Board of Governors will continue to address the issue of verification and monitoring in Iran in its future meetings, based on reports by the Director General that contain adequate information regarding Iran’s implementation of its commitments.

Thank you, Madame Chair.