Statement by Ambassador Hikihara Takeshi at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on Wednesday, 18 November 2020: Item 3: Verification and Monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231(2015)
2020/11/18
Thank you, Madame Chair,
Japan appreciates the Director General’s reports on this Agenda Item as well as the technical briefing by the Secretariat.
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. In this regard, our views on the withdrawal of the US from the JCPOA are unchanged and we do not repeat them today as they are already well known.
Madame Chair,
We are strongly concerned about Iran’s continued reduction of its commitments under the JCPOA, with regard to the stockpile of the LEU exceeding the JCPOA limit by twelve times, uranium enrichment level, the centrifuge R&D activities, installation of IR-2m and IR-4 centrifuge cascades to FEP with the IR-2m recently feeded with UF6, and uranium enrichment in Fordow among others. It is also worrisome that Iran is planning to transfer a part of PFEP with the aim that eventually all the enrichment R&D activities will be concentrated in FEP since it could imply further deviation from its commitments.
Japan once again strongly urges Iran to fully comply with the JCPOA, to immediately return to its full commitment and to refrain from further measures that may undermine the JCPOA.
Madame Chair,
It is of utmost importance that the Secretariat continues to carry out appropriate safeguards activities taking account of all available information. Therefore, Japan strongly supports the Secretariat’s professional and impartial efforts in this regard. Timely and proactive cooperation by Iran in providing the complementary access facilitates implementation of the AP and enhances confidence. In this regard, Japan welcomes that the complementary access to two locations was completed as agreed between the IAEA and Iran in August and takes note that environmental samples taken by IAEA inspectors are being analysed.
Regarding the issue on uranium particles of anthropogenic origin, more than one year has passed since the Secretariat called on Iran for full and timely cooperation. Japan calls on Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA in accordance with its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and the Additional Protocol and to provide the Agency with a full and prompt explanation regarding the presence of such particles, including isotopically altered particles, to allay any possible concerns about the correctness and completeness of Iran’s safeguards declarations.
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 will continue its diplomatic efforts toward easing tensions and stabilizing the situation in the Middle East region, together with the international community.
Japan hopes that the Board of Governors will continue to address this issue, based on regular reports by the Director General.
Thank you, Madame Chair.
Japan appreciates the Director General’s reports on this Agenda Item as well as the technical briefing by the Secretariat.
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. In this regard, our views on the withdrawal of the US from the JCPOA are unchanged and we do not repeat them today as they are already well known.
Madame Chair,
We are strongly concerned about Iran’s continued reduction of its commitments under the JCPOA, with regard to the stockpile of the LEU exceeding the JCPOA limit by twelve times, uranium enrichment level, the centrifuge R&D activities, installation of IR-2m and IR-4 centrifuge cascades to FEP with the IR-2m recently feeded with UF6, and uranium enrichment in Fordow among others. It is also worrisome that Iran is planning to transfer a part of PFEP with the aim that eventually all the enrichment R&D activities will be concentrated in FEP since it could imply further deviation from its commitments.
Japan once again strongly urges Iran to fully comply with the JCPOA, to immediately return to its full commitment and to refrain from further measures that may undermine the JCPOA.
Madame Chair,
It is of utmost importance that the Secretariat continues to carry out appropriate safeguards activities taking account of all available information. Therefore, Japan strongly supports the Secretariat’s professional and impartial efforts in this regard. Timely and proactive cooperation by Iran in providing the complementary access facilitates implementation of the AP and enhances confidence. In this regard, Japan welcomes that the complementary access to two locations was completed as agreed between the IAEA and Iran in August and takes note that environmental samples taken by IAEA inspectors are being analysed.
Regarding the issue on uranium particles of anthropogenic origin, more than one year has passed since the Secretariat called on Iran for full and timely cooperation. Japan calls on Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA in accordance with its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and the Additional Protocol and to provide the Agency with a full and prompt explanation regarding the presence of such particles, including isotopically altered particles, to allay any possible concerns about the correctness and completeness of Iran’s safeguards declarations.
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 will continue its diplomatic efforts toward easing tensions and stabilizing the situation in the Middle East region, together with the international community.
Japan hopes that the Board of Governors will continue to address this issue, based on regular reports by the Director General.
Thank you, Madame Chair.