Iran Demands Zero-Tolerance for Nuclear Facility Attacks
At the IAEA General Conference, Tehran urged the international community to adopt a strict policy against strikes on peaceful nuclear sites, citing recent regional conflicts and legal obligations.
Iran has formally called for a "zero-tolerance policy" regarding any attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities, arguing that such actions pose severe risks to global safety and non-proliferation efforts. Speaking at the 70th IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Iran’s ambassador emphasized that the international community must respond decisively to incidents that threaten nuclear infrastructure, regardless of the political or military context.
The delegation highlighted the urgency of the situation, referencing what they described as unprecedented incidents over the past year and a half. According to the remarks delivered in Vienna, allowing strikes on nuclear sites to become normalized could have consequences that extend far beyond the immediate conflict zones, potentially undermining public confidence in nuclear energy and the credibility of international safeguard mechanisms.
Legal and safety concerns
The Iranian representative cited Article 56 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, which provides special protection for nuclear power stations under specified circumstances. The argument presented was that protecting these facilities is a collective international responsibility, and that attacks endanger human life, public health, and the environment while disrupting critical infrastructure such as electricity supplies and medical isotope production.
Furthermore, the delegation warned that such actions could weaken the trust in the IAEA’s safeguard system. They urged the UN Security Council and the IAEA to respond promptly and consistently to violations, criticizing what they termed a "dead silence" from these institutions in the face of recent aggressions. The statement suggested that neutrality in the face of such attacks risks emboldening future violations of international norms.
Joint statement on state rights
In a separate move, Iran joined fourteen other countries in a joint statement reaffirming the "inalienable right" of states to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination. The group stressed that nuclear facilities must not be subjected to attacks or threats, warning that strikes on safeguarded sites could result in radioactive releases that affect civilian populations and the broader environment.
The joint statement also recalled UN Security Council Resolution 487 of 1981 and several IAEA General Conference resolutions that oppose attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities. This collective position underscores a broader diplomatic effort to frame the protection of nuclear infrastructure as a core principle of international law, distinct from the specific geopolitical disputes surrounding individual states' nuclear programs.
Dispute over board membership
Iran also rejected the United States’ designation to the IAEA Board of Governors, arguing that Washington’s alleged violations of international law and the IAEA Statute make its membership incompatible with the board’s principles. According to the statement delivered by a delegate of the Permanent Mission, Board membership should not be determined solely by a country’s nuclear capabilities, but rather by adherence to UN principles and the promotion of peace.
The Iranian delegation pointed to recent military actions involving the US and Israel against Iran’s safeguarded nuclear facilities, describing the situation as a "structural conflict of interest" that could undermine the board’s neutrality. They argued that allowing the US to sit in judgment over matters linked to its own conduct would create a profound contradiction in the institution's integrity.
