Iran statement at IAEA GC: Agenda item 19

Statement by the Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran before the 70th IAEA General Conference under Agenda Item 19 “Application of IAEA safeguards in the Middle East” (Vienna 17 September 2026)

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

Mr. President

The application of IAEA safeguards in the Middle East represents a severe institutional failure.

52 years ago, Iran proposed the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

But, highly destructive policies and practices of the Israeli regime have entirely blocked the establishment of this zone.

Its dangerous nuclear posture remains the sole obstacle.

For decades, our region has witnessed relentless Israeli aggression and occupation.

This regime persistently defies and mocks all global nuclear non-proliferation norms with absolute impunity.

The Director General reports that all in the Middle East have joined the NPT and concluded comprehensive safeguards agreements. The only exception is the Israeli regime.

Regional States bear heavy non-proliferation obligations and face highly intrusive IAEA inspections.

Meanwhile, a non-party to the NPT with a known nuclear arsenal enjoys total impunity.

This dangerous double standard destroys the Agency’s credibility and the integrity of its safeguards system.

The IAEA Statute demands the equitable application of safeguards.

International law must apply equally to all. Selective enforcement of such norms must come to an end.

The Agency cannot claim impartiality while ignoring this massive failures.

For decades, this Conference has urged the Israeli regime to promptly and unconditionally join the NPT and place all its nuclear facilities and activities under the Agency’s comprehensive safeguards.

Yet, all these global calls remain completely ignored.

Let us review the record of this regime. It has repeatedly and unlawfully attacked peaceful nuclear facilities.

These attacks clearly violate the UN Charter and IAEA Statute. Facing UN Security Council inaction, it learned it could strike with impunity.

The Middle East faces an existential nuclear threat. Neither the IAEA nor the Security Council has responded effectively.

How can the international community tolerate this blackmail? Silence in the face of these threats implies direct complicity.

Appeasing a nuclear-armed aggressor leads to catastrophic regional conflict.

This impunity is actively enabled by the US, France, and the UK. These permanent Security Council members provide continuous political shielding.

They systematically block resolutions addressing Israel’s nuclear weapons and its crimes. This active complicity makes them responsible for threats to regional insecurity and instability.

It is unreasonable to demand strict compliance from regional states while the sole nuclear-armed entity evades verification and attacks peaceful nuclear facilities with absolute impunity.

This discriminatory approach to safeguards in the Middle East is unacceptable. It must come to an end.

This severe imbalance directly threatens the national security of regional countries including the Islamic Republic of Iran.

This situation is unacceptable and highly dangerous and must therefore be rectified. Otherwise, it would jeopardize the credibility, effectiveness, and sustainability of the entire IAEA and its safeguards system.

For its part, Iran will never permit its national security and sovereignty to be compromised.

I thank you, Mr. President.