The Major Test Ahead for the International Atomic Energy Agency: Support the Aggressor or Defend the Legitimate Rights of Its Members?!

According to Saed News, quoting ISNA, Iran’s representative emphasized:

“When the rights and obligations of NPT members are not upheld in a balanced manner, and certain aggressive regimes — without being members of the NPT — are allowed to freely engage in aggression and threats against committed member states, the continuation of voluntary commitments becomes unjustifiable.”

Reza Najafi, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, in a strongly worded statement during the extraordinary session of the IAEA Board of Governors — held at Iran’s request and with the support of Russia, China, Venezuela, Pakistan, and several other member states on June 15, 2025 (26 Khordad 1404), just 72 hours after the attack on Iran — condemned the Israeli regime’s act of aggression against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities as a clear act of state terrorism and a blatant violation of the UN Charter and the IAEA Statute.

The United States had prior knowledge of the Israeli regime’s act of aggression

Iran’s representative, while thanking the countries that supported convening the session, stressed:

“The United States was aware of this act of aggression in advance and contributed to it by providing intelligence, political, and material support.”

The IAEA’s ongoing silence has emboldened Israel

He strongly criticized the inaction of the IAEA and its Board of Governors in response to Israel’s repeated threats against Iran’s peaceful nuclear sites, stating:

“This continued silence and inaction have severely damaged the Agency’s credibility and emboldened the Israeli regime to pursue further aggressive actions.”

Najafi added that over the past decades, despite biased behavior by some parties and Israel’s continued illegal nuclear policies outside the NPT framework, the Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently adhered to its commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the IAEA’s comprehensive safeguards, providing extensive and detailed information about its peaceful nuclear activities to the Agency. However, he noted:

“This transparency has unfortunately, in some cases, been used as a tool to threaten our national security and endanger the lives of Iranian scientists.”

He reiterated:

“When the rights and obligations of NPT members are not upheld equally, and certain aggressive regimes act with impunity outside the NPT framework, continuing voluntary commitments loses its justification.”

The era of hit-and-run is over

He warned:

“The era of hit-and-run is over. The Islamic Republic of Iran, within the framework of the UN Charter, the NPT, and the IAEA Statute, reserves its inherent right to defend its people, sovereignty, peaceful nuclear facilities, and national interests, and will take appropriate countermeasures at the right time.”

Iran’s diplomat also called on the Board of Governors to:

“Condemn Israel’s aggression in the strongest terms and hold the Zionist regime fully accountable for the consequences of this dangerous action.”