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JCPOA Implementation Day Ushers in New Phase for IAEA in Iran: Director General Amano

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IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano addressing the Board of Governors on 19 January 2016. (Photo: D. Calma/IAEA)

Implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) last Saturday marks the beginning of a new phase in relations between Iran and the IAEA, Director General Yukiya Amano told the IAEA’s Board of Governors today.

The JCPOA was agreed last July between Iran and the so called E3/EU+3 – China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union. The landmark agreement came into effect on 16 January after Mr Amano issued a report confirming that Iran had completed the necessary preparatory steps.

The IAEA’s Board of Governors authorised Mr Amano to implement verification and monitoring of Iran’s nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA last August, following a request by the United Nations Security Council.   

“The way is now clear for the Agency to begin verifying and monitoring Iran’s nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA, as requested by the Security Council and authorised by the Board,” Mr Amano said.

As a result of the JCPOA, Iran will provisionally apply the additional protocol to its safeguards agreement with the IAEA, as well as extra nuclear-related commitments, known as transparency measures. Under the additional protocol, already in force in 121 of 174 States with comprehensive safeguards agreements, States grant the IAEA expanded rights of access to information and sites. The additional protocol helps the IAEA to provide greater assurance about the peaceful use of all nuclear material in those States.

“Iran had previously informed me that it would provisionally apply the Additional Protocol to its Safeguards Agreement with the Agency, starting on Implementation Day, pending its entry into force,” Mr Amano told the Board.

As part of the transparency measures, IAEA inspectors will have enhanced access to uranium mines and mills, and the Agency will undertake continuous surveillance of centrifuge manufacturing and storage locations.

IAEA resources devoted to verification and monitoring under the JCPOA are increasing considerably (see infographic). Mr Amano called on Member States to provide long-term funding for the IAEA’s additional activities in Iran, estimated at €9.2 million euros per year. Funding devoted to these activities is 2.3 times higher than before 2014.

“I am grateful to countries that have already made, or pledged, contributions and I count on the support of all Member States in ensuring predictable funding for this long-term verification and monitoring work,” Mr Amano said.

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