3
Acknowledged
Iran could be more forthcoming when granting access for IAEA inspections.
Recommendation
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.
Government Response Summary
The government noted the recommendation and agreed on the importance of IAEA access, outlining its clear stance that Iran must comply and its efforts to express concern and urge Iran to continue provisional implementation of the Additional Protocol, but did not commit to introducing additional penalties or provisions.
Paragraph Reference
21
Government Response
Acknowledged
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.
Source
Committee
Foreign Affairs Committee
Inquiry
The UK and Iran
Report
Fifth report: No prosperity without justice: the UK’s relationship with Iran
16 Dec 2020
HC 415
Addressee Bodies
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Timeline
Recommendation age
5.6 yrs
Report published
16 Dec 2020