Envoy: Natanz N. Center Explosion Result of Sabotage

“The Islamic Republic of Iran places great importance on nuclear security. In this context, I would like to draw your attention to an important matter and refer to the recent explosion in Shahid Ahmadi Roushan nuclear facility (Natanz) which was the result of sabotage as already declared. We warn against any such reckless and dangerous adventurism. Such malicious acts should be condemned strongly by the Agency and its Member States,” Qaribabadi said in a report to the seasonal session of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna on Thursday.

“In several General Conference resolutions, it is highlighted that any armed attack and threat against nuclear facilities dedicated for peaceful purposes and are under the IAEA safeguards, is considered as the gross violation of the provisions of the UN Charter, international law and the Statute of the Agency. In addition to protecting its nuclear facilities in any way it deems necessary, Iran reserves its right to take appropriate actions against such threats. I would also like to emphasize that such malicious acts will not negatively affect Iran’s nuclear program, but will only serve as an incentive to accelerate its development,” he added.

“The fact that 22 percent of the Agency’s global inspections alone is conducted in Iran, shows that Iran has the most transparent peaceful nuclear program among the Agency’s Member States. Although the Agency is supposed to focus on the current activities, however, Iran has voluntarily accepted the request by the Agency to address possible safeguards issues.”

“In this context, the Director General’s current report depicts the extra-miles which both Iran and the Agency have taken to reach a common understanding on the issues at hand, and to find satisfactory resolutions for them. We, both, are in agreement that in order to overcome possible impediments, a conducive environment should be established for it first, which certainly comes out of mutual good-faith. The current extensive level of cooperation between Iran and the Agency has not been achieved easily, and we shouldn’t allow it to be diminished simply by imprudent political interests of few.”

He said it was “noteworthy that the same legal instruments which entitle the Agency to enjoy certain rights, also identify the boundaries and limitations for the assumption of such rights. In this regard, questions or requests by the Agency should be based on convincing underlying reasons, and independent information and findings. Also, the Member States of the Agency should seriously avoid exerting any pressure against it for preserving its integrity. By considering such limitations and refraining from basing the questions and requests on allegations and fabricated documents, the grounds were ready for cooperation between Iran and the Agency. In this line, since the Agency has considered and analyzed information available to it till now, therefore, does not have any further question or requests for access to locations other than those declared by Iran.”

Furthermore, he went on “to emphasize that since few adversaries of the JCPOA could not find any issues in the recent years to destroy the JCPOA and cooperation between Iran and the Agency, they have tried in vain to build their arguments upon unfounded, baseless allegations. Nevertheless, it is upon the Board of Governors and the Agency’s Secretariat to show necessary wisdom and foresight to avoid getting entangled in their mischief.”

“It should be noted that the issues under consideration are related to the Additional Protocol in terms of requests for access; and, one should not lose sight of the fact that this Protocol is provisionally and voluntary applied by the Islamic Republic of Iran due to the JCPOA. Accordingly, I would like to note that, as quite often reiterated by the Non-Aligned Movement, there should be a clear distinction between legal obligations of Member States under their respective safeguards agreements and their voluntary undertakings, in order to ensure that such voluntary undertakings are not turned into legal safeguards obligations. In view of this, pending the resolution of these issues, they should be addressed within ongoing interaction between Iran and the Agency; therefore, there is no need for further regular reporting to the Board,” he added.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran places great importance on nuclear security. In this context, I would like to draw your attention to an important matter and refer to the recent explosion in Shahid Ahmadi Roushan nuclear facility (Natanz) which was the result of sabotage as already declared. We warn against any such reckless and dangerous adventurism. Such malicious acts should be condemned strongly by the Agency and its Member States. In several General Conference resolutions, it is highlighted that any armed attack and threat against nuclear facilities dedicated for peaceful purposes and are under the IAEA safeguards, is considered as the gross violation of the provisions of the UN Charter, international law and the Statute of the Agency. In addition to protecting its nuclear facilities in any way it deems necessary, Iran reserves its right to take appropriate actions against such threats. I would also like to emphasize that such malicious acts will not negatively affect Iran’s nuclear program, but will only serve as an incentive to accelerate its development.

“For many years, the US and regime of Israel are speaking about the possibility of an Iranian nuclear bomb and the so-called Iran’s clandestine nuclear activities, to divert the attention of the international community and the Agency. Despite this, so far, there is no news about such fantasy bomb, rather Iran has shown to be the most transparent country with accepting more than one fifth of the total inspections of the Agency. Iran has also expressed its strong position against nuclear weapons and the necessity of their total elimination. In contrary, the US is equipped with more than 6200 nuclear warheads, that is around half of the total nuclear weapons in the world, which is sufficient to destroy the world for several times. It seems as if the US is not only considering other countries in this planet as enemy, but also has drawn hypothetical enemies in other planets for itself. Furthermore, the US is spending billions of dollars in development and renovation of its nuclear weapons, and thanks to the NPT is exempted from any kind of verification and monitoring.”

He also noted that “The US not only is not taking steps in the implementation of its obligation under Article VI of the NPT for disarmament, but also is sharing such weapons with others in complete breach of its obligations under Article I of the Treaty. Considering such facts along with the past history of use of nuclear weapons by the US against the innocent people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as maintaining the option of using such inhuman and destructive weapons in the Nuclear Posture Review of the US, turned it to the most dangerous country in the world.

On the other hand, regime of Israel is the only non-party to the NPT in the Middle East and has not acceded to any of the instruments related to weapons of mass-destruction and continues to be the greatest security concern in the region. This regime has all categories of weapons of mass-destruction, has rejected the repeated requests of the international community and the Agency for accepting the IAEA safeguards inspections, and frequently threatens or attacks its neighbors.”

“Against such backdrop, isn’t it contempt of all disarmament and arms control instruments that the US and Israeli regime, with such dark practices, are talking about safeguards related concerns in relations with Iran? Distinguished Members of the Agency! Who is the real threat? Indeed, it is not Iran. You don’t have to go far, just take a look at the continuous IAEA reports, which are talking about monitoring Iran’s nuclear program and its compliance with the obligations. To uphold the safeguards regime and the Agency’s integrity, international community should not keep silence about the nuclear status of the US and Israeli regime and their threats to regional and international peace and security,” he went on note.

“To conclude,”Qaribabadi said, “my delegation would like to reiterate its confidence that the implementation of the verification activities requires both sides to cooperate in good-faith. “Respect” and “trust” are established during times, but could be shattered in a matter of seconds. In this context, the Agency is highly expected to continue to carry out its mandate in a professional, independent and impartial manner away from any undue pressure or interference.”

Earlier this month, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi announced on Tuesday that the country plans to build a more modern centrifuge hall in the mountainous areas of Natanz after the July 2 explosion and sabotage act.

“Given the really devilish and sabotage act, they (the saboteurs) did, it was decided that a more modern, vaster and more comprehensive hall in all dimensions be established in the heart of the mountains near Natanz and this has already started,” Salehi said on the sidelines of his meeting with members of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission.

Asked about reduction of Iran’s undertakings in Natanz and Fordo nuclear installations based on the nuclear deal in response to other parties’ non-commitment, he said that the introductory steps have started with the supply of equipment and initial launch of a series of halls to produce advanced centrifuges.

Salehi explained that the hall in Natanz in which an explosion occurred was special to advanced centrifuges, but said the Supreme National Security Council will present further details.

AEOI Spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said earlier this month that the country’s security bodies have identified the saboteurs behind the July 2 explosion at Natanz nuclear facility.

“This incident was unfortunately an act of sabotage and the security organizations should study the incident thoroughly and they have to speak about it and their investigations will continue,” Kamalvandi said.

“As far as we know, they have identified the culprits and know their incentives and methods and actually, they have full knowledge over the issue,” he added.

Kamalvandi, meantime, said that he is not informed of the detailed information, adding that because the issue is still under investigations, no more information can be provided for now.