Non-Proliferation: IAEA continues diligently to engage with Iran - Briefing | United Nations

Following a procedural vote at the Security Council, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Rafael Mariano Grossi said the Agency “continues diligently to engage with Iran, seeking avenues to encourage it to clarify all remaining safeguards issues,” which he noted, “have now been outstanding for more than five years.” Russia and China oppose the holding of Council meetings on Iran's nuclear non-proliferation arguing that the legal basis for the Council to review Iran's dossier expired in October 2025. The vote, 11 in favour, two against and two abstentions, allowed for the meeting to be held. Grossi said, “the foundations on which a diplomatic agreement could be achieved so that the inspectors can return to Iran are clear. Any path forward with regards to Iran's nuclear program must include the IAEA's indispensable verification role, without which no solution is verifiable, and, as a consequence, sustainable.” He invited Iran “to work with the IAEA without any further delay, to clarify outstanding safeguards questions and to give the IAEA the information and access the Agency requires, so that it can verify all relevant facilities and material, as is Iran's legal obligation.” He encouraged Iran “to consider technical and gradual measures by which conditions are achieved that allow for the return of our inspectors to Iran,” and said, “such gradual, technical, incremental steps could pave the way to normal safeguards implementation in Iran, while contributing to a confidence building atmosphere conducive to a wider agreement.”