Australia Condemns Iran's Latest Nuclear Steps
I am extremely disappointed by Iran's removal yesterday of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seals at its Natanz
uranium enrichment research facility, and by Iran's stated intention to undertake uranium enrichment research.
Uranium enrichment is a key technology for producing nuclear fuel but also nuclear weapons. We see no need for Iran to
undertake this research.
This is the second time in five months that Iran has broken IAEA seals at sensitive nuclear facilities.
It is yet another instance of Iran's breaking its commitment to suspend all enrichment and enrichment-related
activities, and its defiance of the international community's expectations that Iran maintain that suspension.
Australia has been extremely concerned about Iran's nuclear activities because of Iran's record of concealment over
nearly two decades.
Despite nearly three years of investigations, the IAEA has still not been able to conclude that these activities are for
exclusively peaceful purposes.
Our concerns about Iran's nuclear activities have been brought into sharp focus by the Iranian President's recent
anti-Israeli comments.
I have instructed Australia's Ambassador to Tehran to convey Australia's serious concern about Iran's actions and to
urge Iran to reverse these latest steps.
Australia will be consulting closely with colleagues on the IAEA Board of Governors to determine the next diplomatic
steps, including whether a special IAEA Board meeting should be convened to report Iran to the UN Security Council.
In its September 2005 resolution, the IAEA Board found Iran in non-compliance of its nuclear safeguards agreement and
concluded that Iran should be reported to the UN Security Council. Australia supported this resolution, and believes
that reporting Iran to the UN Security Council can strengthen the IAEA's authority and ability to investigate Iran's
nuclear activities thoroughly.
Iran has been given many opportunities to engage seriously on proposals to meet international concerns and still has the
choice to seize these opportunities. I urge Iran to do so.