Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Paragraph: 21
Iran could be more forthcoming when granting access for IAEA inspections.
Conclusion
Iran could be more forthcoming when granting access for IAEA inspections. Additionally, Iran has publicly stated it would not allow inspection of military sites, despite such visits falling within the terms of the JCPOA. These actions undermine political confidence in the nuclear deal, so additional penalties or provisions could be introduced to encourage a behaviour change.
Paragraph Reference:
21
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We take considered note of the Committee’s recommendation. We agree on the importance of IAEA access. The UK is clear that Iran must provide full access to the IAEA in line with its commitments under the JCPoA and fulfil its obligations under the NPT Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol. We strongly support the professional and impartial role of the IAEA in providing enhanced monitoring and verification of these commitments, which is essential to securing international and regional confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. We are deeply concerned by the law passed by the Iranian Parliament on 2 December 2020, which—if implemented—would limit IAEA access. We expressed our concern with E3 partners in a statement on 7 December and pressed this at the JCPoA ministerial meeting on 21 December. The law would be incompatible with the JCPoA and we urge Iran to continue provisionally to implement its Additional Protocol and co-operate with the IAEA on all outstanding safeguarding issues, including providing timely and full responses to all IAEA requests for information and access. To do otherwise, would undermine the opportunity to preserve the JCPoA that the new US Administration has offered.