Fifteen Nations Demand Protection for Peaceful Nuclear Sites
A bloc of fifteen countries, including Iran and Russia, has issued a joint declaration at the IAEA conference demanding a clear ban on attacks against safeguarded nuclear facilities.
In Vienna, fifteen nations including Iran, China, and Russia have called for a definitive prohibition on attacks against peaceful nuclear facilities operating under international safeguards. The joint statement, released during the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency, warns that a failure to condemn such actions could erode the credibility of the global nuclear safeguards regime and undermine established international law.
According to the GN auto geopolitics/middle-east: Iran nuclear report, the signatories argue that silence on these matters risks normalizing actions that pose serious risks to nuclear safety, human life, and the environment. The group urged all IAEA member states to adopt a unified position that protects peaceful nuclear activities while maintaining the integrity of the Agency's monitoring systems.
Push for Zero Tolerance Policy
Iran has emphasized the need for a zero-tolerance approach, with Ambassador Reza Najafi stating that no political or military justification should be accepted for targeting nuclear installations. This diplomatic push follows recent military strikes on Iranian infrastructure, which have made the protection of safeguarded sites a central theme for Tehran in international forums. The country maintains that its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful and disputes should be resolved through legal mechanisms rather than force.
Context of Recent Military Strikes
The statement carries particular weight following reported attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in mid-2025. IAEA documents indicate that strikes between June 13 and 24 affected several sites, leading the Agency to suspend field verification and withdraw inspectors for safety reasons. These events have heightened concerns that military actions against nuclear infrastructure can have consequences extending far beyond the targeted nation.
Implications for Global Safeguards
The joint declaration places the protection of nuclear facilities within the broader debate over the future of the international safeguards regime. As the conference concludes amid heightened concern, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that attacks on such facilities are increasing. The forward question remains how member states will balance national security interests with the collective obligation to uphold the legal norms governing nuclear non-proliferation and safety.
