Iran statement at IAEA GC: Agenda item 8

Statement by the Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran before the 70th IAEA General Conference under Agenda Item 8: “Election of Members to the Board of Governors” (Vienna 17 September 2026)

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Mr. President

During the Board meeting, Iran objected to the US designation for the Board membership.

Today, I raise the same principled objection. It is a question of law, responsibility, and credibility of the Agency.

Legally speaking, no State can be designated for Board membership exclusively because of its advancement in atomic energy technology.

This is a distortion of Article VI.A.1 of the Statute.

The Statute must be interpreted, and applied as a coherent whole in accordance with international treaty law.

Articles III.B.1 and IV.B require the Agency and its members to act in conformity with the purposes and principles of the United Nations, to promote peace and to further disarmament.

Article IV.C provides that all members shall fulfil in good faith the obligations assumed under the Statute.

Taken together, these provisions make clear that eligibility for Board's membership cannot be reduced to technological strength.

In 2025 and 2026, the U.S. conducted massive aggressions against Iran, constituting material breach of prohibition of use of force – one of the most fundamental principles of the UN.

In addition, they committed multiple war crimes, including the martyring of 168 innocent children, aged 7 to 12, at an elementary school in Minab.

Likewise, the US together with the Israeli regime, conducted 18 waves of attacks against Iran’s peaceful safeguarded nuclear facilities.

Those unlawful attacks, according to resolutions of this Conference, constitute violations of the principles of the UN, international law, and the Statute of the Agency.

Such acts clearly contradict the principle of promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Can anyone seriously contend, in good faith, that a State with such a dark record of materially violating the provisions of the Statute is fulfilling its obligations?  

Shouldn't such a country’s membership be suspended—as Article XIX.B demands?

Mr. President,

The Board is a principal organ of the Agency, carrying sensitive responsibilities.

Placing the US on that Board would create a profound contradiction.

It would allow the aggressor to sit in judgment on matters directly linked to its own unlawful conducts.

It would create a structural conflict of interest, undermine neutrality of the Board, cast doubt on its decisions, and further erode confidence in the Agency itself.

For these reasons, the US designation to the Board of Governors is incompatible with the letter and spirit of the Statute, as well as the Agency’s founding principles.

Accordingly, the Islamic Republic of Iran rejects the designation of the US to the Board, and disassociates from this decision.

I thank you Mr. President