In response to press reports, the IAEA has commented on its ongoing safeguards in Iran. A full report is being submitted to the IAEA Board of Governors, which meets in Vienna 8 September.
The IAEA is in the process of an intensive inspection process in Iran. Our inspectors and experts have been in Iran no fewer than five times in the period since June and we have made considerable progress since then in clarifying the history, extent and purpose of Iran's nuclear program. In particular, we have visited a number of new sites, have the results of previously taken environmental samples and taken many more new samples, and are in receipt of much new information from the Iranian authorities. Each of these must be analysed thoroughly, a process of investigation which will take weeks or months.
There are still a number of outstanding issues, particularly with regard to Iran's enrichment programme, which require urgent resolution. Continued and accelerated co-operation and full transparency on the part of Iran is essential if we are to resolve them.
This report shows the lengthy, painstaking and complex nature of inspections, particularly in a country with a large and sophisticated nuclear programme. Lessons we have learned from past inspections demonstrate the value of a professional and objective inspectorate which does not jump to conclusions on the basis of partial knowledge.
We also know that, with the support and patience of the international community, the inspection process can work. The IAEA is hopeful that by the time of its Board of Governors meeting in November, we will have moved decisively towards resolving the outstanding issues. Ultimately however, the only way to build high confidence in the peaceful nature of their nuclear programme, is for Iran to sign and bring into force an Additional Protocol to their Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA.
Web References
- Statements on Safeguards in Iran, with associated references on IAEA Web pages on Iran.
- Safeguards and Additional Protocols.
- An Additional Protocol would enable the Agency to conduct the in-depth and comprehensive verification that could generate, particularly in a country like Iran with extensive nuclear activities, the required assurances. -- IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei, statement to Board of Governors, 18 July 2003.
- IAEA Director General ElBaradei's June 2003 report to the Board stated that Iran has failed to meet its obligations under its Safeguards Agreement with respect to the reporting of nuclear material, the subsequent processing and use of that material and the declaration of facilities where the material was stored and processed. The report stated that the Agency has been informed that the pilot enrichment plant is scheduled to start operating in June 2003, initially with single machine tests, and later with increasing numbers of centrifuges.
-- June 2003, IAEA Director General Report to IAEA Board of Governors [pdf file].