Joint statement by Ambassador Corinne Kitsell, UK Permanent
Representative to the UN, on behalf of France, Germany and the UK
(E3) at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Extraordinary Board of Governors meeting on 16 June 2025.
"Chair,
The E3 are concerned about the ongoing escalation of
tensions in the Middle East, following Israeli strikes against
targets in Iran and Iran's response. The E3 reiterate their
commitment to the region's stability and call on all sides to
abide by international law, show restraint and refrain from
taking further steps which could lead to serious consequences
such as potential radioactive release. Escalation is in the
interest of no one in the region.
We reiterate our full support to the IAEA's independent and
impartial mandate and thank the DG for his recent update to the
UNSC.
The E3 have repeatedly expressed their deep concern about Iran's
accelerating and expanding enrichment activities without any
plausible civilian justification. The E3 are also worried by
recent statements by high-ranking officials on Iran's willingness
to take new and special measures to protect nuclear materials and
equipment that would not be declared to the IAEA. As a state
party to the NPT and its nuclear safeguards regime, Iran is
obliged to declare and put all nuclear material located in Iran
under IAEA safeguards. Such statements are concerning and
exacerbate the IAEA Comprehensive Report's findings of Iran's
continued noncompliance with its safeguards agreement and that
the IAEA is not in a capacity to verify that Iran's nuclear
program is exclusively peaceful.
Manipulative attempts to link this crisis with the resolution
passed by the Board is an unjustified and irresponsible narrative
politicising the IAEA and the safeguards system. The resolution
this Board adopted last week was a necessary and long-overdue
step to hold Iran into account for its failure to cooperate
sufficiently with the Agency over the past six years. It was
measured and gave Iran a final opportunity to resolve the
outstanding safeguards issues. Iran's full cooperation with the
IAEA and full implementation of its safeguards agreement are a
legal obligation and a necessary foundation for any enduring
agreement.
The E3 have repeatedly expressed our commitment to a diplomatic
solution to Iran's nuclear programme and the security of the
state of Israel. We have supported recent US diplomatic efforts
to reach a diplomatic agreement. We regret Iran's decision not to
participate in talks scheduled this Sunday in Oman. We will spare
no efforts to contribute to a negotiated solution, in
coordination with the United States.
Thank you, Chair."
