The IAEA’s Board of Governors today authorized Director General Yukiya Amano to implement verification and monitoring of Iran’s nuclear-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) recently agreed between Iran and the six countries and the European Union, known as the E3/EU+3. The Board also approved related changes to the IAEA’s programme and budget, and agreed to seek the additional €9.2 million required for the implementation in 2016 of the activities the IAEA had been requested to undertake in Iran by the United Nation’s Security Council.
“There is now a historic opportunity to resolve the Iran nuclear issue,” Mr Amano told the Board in his opening statement. “I hope that full use will be made of this opportunity.”
As a result of the JCPOA, Iran will implement the additional protocol to its safeguard agreement with the IAEA, as well as extra nuclear-related commitments, which are known as transparency measures. Under the additional protocol, already in force in 120 of 174 states with comprehensive safeguards agreements, States grant the IAEA expanded rights of access to information and sites. By enabling the IAEA to obtain a much fuller picture of such States’ nuclear programmes, plans, nuclear material holdings and trade, the additional protocol helps the IAEA to provide much greater assurance on the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in those States.
As part of the transparency measures, IAEA inspectors will have enhanced access to uranium mines and mills, and continuous surveillance of centrifuge manufacturing and storage locations.
“These measures go beyond the scope of Iran’s comprehensive safeguards agreement and additional protocol and will help the Agency to have a better understanding of Iran’s nuclear programme,” said IAEA Director General Amano.
Mr Amano also briefed the Board on the Road-map for the clarification of past and present outstanding issues regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, signed by Iran and the IAEA. It sets out a timeline of activities for the two sides to complete before the end of the year. All activities under the Road-map are to be completed by 15 October and Mr Amano said he would present his final assessment to the Board by 15 December. “As with all my reports, this assessment will be factual and impartial,” he said.
Implementation of verification and monitoring by the IAEA under the JCPOA will require additional expenses of €9.2 million euros per year. Board members discussed the financial implications of the JCPOA for the IAEA, and Mr Amano said he would further consult with Member States.
These measures go beyond the scope of Iran’s comprehensive safeguards agreement and additional protocol and will help the Agency to have a better understanding of Iran’s nuclear programme.
