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05. March 2018

STATEMENT BY DR JOHNNY THABO PITSWANE, DEPUTY RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY BOARD OF GOVERNORS, 5 MARCH 2018, VIENNA, AUSTRIA

AGENDA ITEM 4: VERIFICATION AND MONITORING IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN IN LIGHT OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 2231 (2015)

Chairperson,

South Africa welcomes the Director General’s report on the verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of the United Nations Security Council resolution 2231(2015) . We also reiterate that the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2015 was an important milestone agreement which opened a new chapter in the Agency’s relations with Iran. This is reflected in the overwhelming global goodwill towards this agreement. We are pleased that previous reports of the Director General, including this one, have indicated that indeed Iran continues to comply with its obligations under the JCPoA.

Specifically, my delegation welcomes the fact that this latest report indicates that the Agency’s inspectors have found no deviation on the part of Iran from its JCPoA related obligations in relation to Heavy Water and Reprocessing; Activities related to Enrichment and Fuel; as well as Centrifuge Research and Development, Manufacturing and Inventory. 

We further note that Iran continues to provisionally apply the Additional Protocol to its Safeguards Agreement and is implementing transparency measures such as issuing long-term visas to Agency inspectors designated for Iran. We commend Iran for these actions that greatly facilitate the work of the Agency thereby reconfirming its commitment to the implementation of the JCPoA.

South Africa notes that the report refers to the announcement by Iran that it intends to build naval nuclear propulsion in the future. We also welcome that there are ongoing discussions between the Agency and Iran on this matter.

Chairperson

The JCPoA continues to be the only mechanism that safeguards all the gains made on Iran’s nuclear programme. It is therefore important that engagements amongst all partners in the agreement should be characterized by trust, mutually reinforcing support and continuous dialogue.

Finally, as we encourage Iran to continue on this positive trajectory and discharge its obligations, we equally call on the global community of States, particularly the EU3+3 as the co-sponsors and custodians of this agreement, to speak with one voice and galvanize international support behind this agreement.

I thank you.

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