Statement by Ambassador KAIFU Atsushi at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on Wednesday, 22 November 2023 Item 4: Verification and Monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015)
2023/11/22
Thank you, Chair,
Japan appreciates the Director General’s report on this agenda item, as well as the technical briefing held by Deputy Director General Aparo and his team.
Japan reiterates its support for the JCPOA, and hopes for a swift return to compliance with the JCPOA by all relevant countries. We commend the professional and impartial work and efforts of the Director General and the Secretariat related to the verification and monitoring of Iran’s implementation of its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA. The exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program needs to be ensured through the full implementation of the JCPOA, as well as the IAEA’s verification and monitoring activities.
Japan remains deeply concerned that the Agency has not been able to perform any meaningful JCPOA verification and monitoring activities. It is truly regrettable that the Agency would not be able to re-establish continuity of knowledge in relation to these elements, even in the event of a full resumption of the JCPOA.
The steady increase of Iran’s stockpiles of highly enriched uranium and the installation of new advanced centrifuge cascades are also extremely worrying.
Japan notes, under this agenda item, with grave concern Iran’s de-designation of several experienced Agency inspectors, which directly and seriously affects the Agency’s ability to effectively conduct its verification activities particularly at the enrichment facilities. We urge Iran to make a prompt decision to reconsider the withdrawal of the designations for these inspectors, and to agree for them to continue inspections in Iran.
We once again urge Iran to fully and immediately return to its JCPOA commitments, including transparency measures, and to re-apply the Additional Protocol. We also call upon Iran to fully and unconditionally implement without further delay the 4 March Joint Statement to allow for appropriate verification and monitoring activities.
Japan asks the Director General to keep the Board of Governors informed on any developments, so that this important issue can continue to be addressed properly.
Thank you, Chair.
Japan appreciates the Director General’s report on this agenda item, as well as the technical briefing held by Deputy Director General Aparo and his team.
Japan reiterates its support for the JCPOA, and hopes for a swift return to compliance with the JCPOA by all relevant countries. We commend the professional and impartial work and efforts of the Director General and the Secretariat related to the verification and monitoring of Iran’s implementation of its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA. The exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program needs to be ensured through the full implementation of the JCPOA, as well as the IAEA’s verification and monitoring activities.
Japan remains deeply concerned that the Agency has not been able to perform any meaningful JCPOA verification and monitoring activities. It is truly regrettable that the Agency would not be able to re-establish continuity of knowledge in relation to these elements, even in the event of a full resumption of the JCPOA.
The steady increase of Iran’s stockpiles of highly enriched uranium and the installation of new advanced centrifuge cascades are also extremely worrying.
Japan notes, under this agenda item, with grave concern Iran’s de-designation of several experienced Agency inspectors, which directly and seriously affects the Agency’s ability to effectively conduct its verification activities particularly at the enrichment facilities. We urge Iran to make a prompt decision to reconsider the withdrawal of the designations for these inspectors, and to agree for them to continue inspections in Iran.
We once again urge Iran to fully and immediately return to its JCPOA commitments, including transparency measures, and to re-apply the Additional Protocol. We also call upon Iran to fully and unconditionally implement without further delay the 4 March Joint Statement to allow for appropriate verification and monitoring activities.
Japan asks the Director General to keep the Board of Governors informed on any developments, so that this important issue can continue to be addressed properly.
Thank you, Chair.