Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Vienna   Statement by H.E. Reza Najafi Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran Before the 69th IAEA General Conference Agenda Item 22 “Prohibition of All Forms of Attacks and Threats of Attack Against Nuclear Sites and Facilities Under IAEA Safeguards and Devoted to Peaceful Purposes” (Vienna, 18 September 2025) In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, At the outset, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Member States of the Non-Aligned Movement, as well as other delegations, for their principled statements condemning the attacks against Iran’s safeguarded nuclear facilities.  The Non-Aligned Movement, representing the collective voice of the majority of the world’s nations, has consistently championed the principles of sovereignty, peaceful coexistence, and respect for international law. NAM’s unwavering support in condemning these unlawful acts underscores the vital role that solidarity and multilateral diplomacy play in upholding the integrity of the international legal and non-proliferation frameworks. In a world where political pressures often impede decisive action, the unity and principled positions of NAM Member States serve as a bulwark against impunity, reaffirming that no State may violate the rights of another under the guise of self-interest or unilateral interpretations of law. Distinguished Colleagues We convene today to confront a matter of the utmost gravity: the unlawful and unacceptable attacks against nuclear sites and facilities under IAEA safeguards. These facilities, verified by the Agency for their exclusively peaceful nature, represent the sovereign rights of States to pursue nuclear energy for development and security. Any attack—or even threat of attack—against such safeguarded sites and facilities constitutes not only a blatant act of aggression, but also a direct assault on the integrity of the IAEA safeguards system. The international community cannot and must not allow such dangerous precedents to stand unchallenged. The use of force against safeguarded nuclear installations has no legal justification under international law. Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter prohibits the threat or use of force, while Article 51 does not—and cannot—be distorted to cover premeditated attacks on safeguarded nuclear facilities. This perverse reinterpretation advanced by certain States is nothing short of a flagrant abuse of the Charter and a direct violation of the decisions adopted by consensus in this very Agency and in the 2010 NPT Review Conference, which reaffirmed the absolute prohibition of armed attacks on nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguard. Such violations must be categorically condemned, without qualification or political expediency. The consequences of these unlawful acts extend far beyond national borders. They risk catastrophic humanitarian and environmental disasters, endanger international peace and security, and strike at the heart of the global non-proliferation regime. By attacking safeguarded facilities, aggressors are not only violating international law—they are dismantling decades of trust painstakingly built within the NPT framework. The world must recognize that if safeguarded nuclear facilities can be attacked with impunity, then the credibility of the safeguards system collapses, and the very foundation of the NPT itself is fatally undermined. It is therefore imperative that this esteemed body act with both urgency and unwavering resolve. The IAEA must reaffirm, in the strongest and clearest terms, that any attack and threats of attack against safeguarded nuclear facilities are absolutely prohibited under international law. The integrity of the safeguards regime must be defended with unwavering determination. Only through a principled and united response to unlawful aggression can we ensure that nuclear energy continues to serve the cause of peace, development, and progress. Distinguished Colleagues By failing to speak out, we are not remaining neutral—we are, in effect, granting a license for future acts of aggression against safeguarded nuclear facilities. Inaction fosters the dangerous illusion that such violations can be tolerated, or even justified. To ignore these violations is, in essence, to tacitly endorse them. Even more troubling, normalization of such unlawful conduct risks rewriting the very rules of international law. If one aggressors can openly target safeguarded nuclear sites and facilities without consequence, others may follow. What was once unthinkable could become routine, and the safeguards system—designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and peaceful use—would be transformed into a list of military targets. The integrity of the NPT, and with it the collective security of all nations, cannot survive such a precedent. Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, If nuclear facilities subject to the Agency’s safeguards are regarded as legitimate targets of attack—and if the Agency and other relevant international bodies fail to condemn such actions—the consequences for the IAEA safeguards system will be stark and deeply alarming. Such a precedent would inevitably weaken transparency, eroding trust, and undermining the very foundations of the safeguards regime. In effect, silence today risks incentivizing opacity tomorrow. If nuclear facilities under the Agency’s safeguards are treated as legitimate targets for attack—and if the Agency and other relevant international bodies fail to unequivocally condemn such actions—the credibility of the entire IAEA safeguards system will face a profound and irreparable crisis. Such a dangerous precedent would dismantle transparency, shatter trust, and fundamentally undermine the very raison d’être of the safeguards regime. Silence in the face of such unlawful aggression today will only embolden impunity and incentivize concealment tomorrow. By failing to respond decisively, the international community risks driving States away from transparency and into secrecy. The long-term consequences could be the erosion of the very foundations of the non-proliferation regime, leaving the world less secure, less stable, and far more vulnerable to nuclear proliferation risks. Distinguished Colleagues We have submitted a draft resolution that is firmly anchored in the protection of the mandate of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in full conformity with its Statute, and in strict adherence to the fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. The resolution recalls long-standing resolutions and decisions of the General Conference and reaffirms the essential importance of safeguarding the Agency’s impartial authority and preserving its integrity. The draft resolution is neither directed against nor in favor of any specific Member State. Rather, it seeks to reaffirm the shared commitments of all IAEA Member States to uphold the integrity of the safeguards system, ensure the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and respect the inviolability of nuclear facilities under Agency safeguards. These principles are universal in nature and reflect collective obligations enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Statute of the IAEA. The international community has consistently reaffirmed this principle, most notably at the 2010 NPT Review Conference, which, by consensus, called upon all States to adhere to the IAEA General Conference decision prohibiting armed attacks or threats against nuclear installations, whether during operation or construction. The draft resolution emphasizes that the inalienable right of Member States to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes must be exercised within a secure environment, free from any threat or act of unlawful attack. It further underscores that all differences or concerns should be addressed exclusively through dialogue and diplomacy. This draft resolution safeguards the legitimacy and independence of the IAEA, reinforces the credibility of multilateral institutions, and sends a clear and unequivocal message of unity in defending the IAEA Statute, the United Nations Charter, and the inalienable right of all States to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. In this regard, we respectfully urge all Member States of the Agency, and in particular those that have consistently upheld principled and independent positions, to give their support to this draft resolution. Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, The Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought to initiate violations of international law, nor has it endeavored to undermine the established international order. However, when these rules are disregarded or broken by others, Iran cannot consider itself bound by obligations that others have abandoned. In such circumstances, any resulting consequences must be borne by those who have chosen to depart from the path of law and opened the door to the use of force. History will attest that Iran pursued all avenues of legality and peaceful resolution, while others steered the world toward disorder and lawlessness. Should the framework of rules be altered, the responsibility for such a shift will rest with those who instigated it. Today, the international community faces a test of historic significance. While votes may differ, the fundamental truth is clear and immutable: the right of a nation to exist, to develop, and to defend itself against aggression is neither negotiable nor subject to denial. Iran, irrespective of the outcome of this resolution, affirms its stance for the record: we condemn attacks on peace, yet we remain steadfast and fully prepared to defend our nation by all necessary means. We have defended, and will continue to defend, our great nation and our rights. Iran will never yield. We will resist aggression with unwavering determination, to the last breath, until the final heartbeat of this land. This is the minimum tribute we can offer to honor the lives that have been sacrificed in pursuit of this path and this sacred cause. Their memory will forever inspire and guide our resolve.