Iran Statement at IAEA GC: EoP on Adoption of Agenda

Statement by the Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran before the 70th IAEA General Conference  “Explanation of Position on Adoption of Agenda” (Vienna 14 September 2026)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

Mr. President,

While congratulating you on your election and assuring you of our full cooperation, I was obliged to take the floor to inform the Conference that the head of the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran to this Conference, our Vice-President and Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, has been denied access to attend this session.

This definitely is not a minor administrative matter or a human error. It is a serious breach of the rights of our country as a Member State of this Agency.

It violates the principle of sovereign equality enshrined in Article IV.C of the Statute, which guarantees all members equal rights and benefits from membership.

It impairs our right to be represented at the General Conference by a delegate of our choice, as provided in the Statute.

It undermines the privileges necessary for delegates to exercise their functions in connection with the Agency, as reflected in the Statute and the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities.

By obstructing our full and effective participation, the denial of access contravenes both the letter and the spirit of the legal framework governing access to IAEA meetings.

It violates the principles of equal representation and participation of all members in this Conference and other meetings of the Agency.

These are treaty-based rights of membership. They cannot and must not be impaired.

Moreover, it violates the host country’s obligations. It breaches the headquarters agreement between the IAEA and Austria. That agreement obliges the host Government to take all necessary measures to facilitate representatives of member States the entry into the Austrian territory and to grant visas as promptly as possible.

That obligation is binding, unequivocal and unconditional for accredited delegates.

Furthermore, denying access of the head of a delegation to the highest policy making organ of the IAEA, in addition to adversely affecting the normal functioning of the Iranian delegation, undermines the Conference itself. It compromises the legitimacy of the Conference proceedings.

We call on the host country to remedy this breach immediately. We expect urgent corrective action. We expect assurance that such incidents will not happen again.

The host country must honour its obligations. The Conference must protect the integrity of its process. Anything less sets a dangerous precedent for all Members.

Multilateralism cannot function if these practices prevail. Selective access contradicts the spirit of this Agency, and the letter of the headquarters agreement. It contradicts basic norms of diplomatic practice.

Iran remains committed to the IAEA’s mandate and to the work of this Conference. But commitment cannot replace capacity. We do not intend to delay its proceedings or to obstruct its work.

Mr. President,

Finally, the denial of access of the head of a delegation to the General Conference constitutes a clear abuse of power and of process by the host country.

It will further undermine Austria’s overall standing as a host of international organizations in an impartial and professional manner, and, accordingly, affect the views and positions of Member States with regard to the host country.

This situation is, regrettably, a consequence of the host country’s failure to uphold its explicit legal obligations. That failure cannot be justified. There is no legal basis for it.

I thank you, Mr. President