17.Continuing violations by Iran undercut IAEA's relevance

Continuing violations by Iran undercut IAEA's relevance

Iran is continuing to violate its obligations to the International Atomic Energy Agency, raising concerns about whether ignoring the violations is undermining the UN organization.U.S. Ambassador to the IAEA Glyn Davies said the latest report on Iran’s nuclear noncompliance is among more than a score of reports identifying violations by Teheran of safeguards, inspections and controls.
“Despite 30 IAEA reports, the fundamental question remains: Is Iran willing to meet its international nonproliferation obligations, build international confidence, and enable the IAEA to provide assurances as to the peaceful nature of its nuclear program?"
"Based on the latest report by the Director General, we regretfully must conclude that Iran is clearly refusing to do so, with implications that this Board of Governors cannot ignore and will need to consider, given the accumulating evidence that Iran is clearly failing to adhere to even its ‘routine’ safeguards obligations by hampering inspector access and repeated, flagrant violations of its …obligations," Davies said Sept. 15.
The U.S. government is committed to a diplomatic resolution of the problem of Iran’s nuclear violations “yet, Iran continues to single itself out by refusing to fully cooperate with the IAEA, refusing to comply with its UN Security Council responsibilities, and instead moving forward with a nuclear program that raises clear concerns about Iran's nuclear intentions,” he said.
Davies made a veiled reference to potential military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, nearly two dozen spread out around the country and many hidden in fortified underground bunkers.
Iran will be welcomed back to the community of nations if it comes into IAEA compliance or it will face “increasing isolation and the costs that must come with it.”
“We hope that Iran will not miss this opportunity to break a nearly eight-year-long stalemate with the international community,” Davies said.