The UN nuclear agency’s chief talked with members of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations about the International Atomic Energy Organization’s role in monitoring and verifying Iran’s nuclear-related measures under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the official title of the nuclear deal reached between Iran and major powers in Vienna last month.
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano and UN senators also discussed the separate “roadmap” to resolve past issues which the agency and Iran agreed on July 14, according to a statement by him posted on the website of the IAEA about the meeting which took place on Wednesday.
He said, “I received many questions. I was asked about the separate arrangements to the roadmap. I explained that my legal obligation is to protect safeguards confidentiality and this is an essential element of the international safeguards regime.
“I explained why the two agreements will significantly strengthen the agency’s verification work in Iran.”
Amano also said the JCPOA will enable the agency to implement the Additional Protocol in Iran, giving it wider access to information and sites, and will require Tehran to take other transparency measures.
“As a result, we will know much more about the nature of Iran’s nuclear activities,” he said, adding, “The roadmap will help us clarify outstanding issues relating to possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear program. It is robust and has strict timelines.”
Iran denies its nuclear program may have any military aspects, saying the work is only meant for peaceful applications such as generating electricity.
“With these two agreements, we have a unique opportunity to resolve past issues and undertake a wide range of verification activities,” Amano explained.
In conclusion, he said, “We face an important task. But I am confident that we have the expertise and experience to do the job.”
