France, Britain, and Germany Say Iran's Nuclear Program Has Reached a 'Warning Level'

Britain, France, and Germany issued a joint statement on Tuesday, June 5, addressing the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), emphasizing that the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken a path of escalation and expansion of its nuclear program to a 'warning level.' These three European countries presented a draft resolution against Iran at the beginning of the IAEA's quarterly Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, which is set to be voted on during this session. The joint statement from Britain, France, and Germany noted the recent report from the IAEA Director General, stating, 'It is no surprise that the Agency's report once again confirms that Iran continues to escalate its sensitive nuclear activities related to proliferation and is still deviating from its commitments under the JCPOA.' They added, 'A large part of Iran's nuclear program is unprecedented for a country that does not have a nuclear weapons program.' The three European countries further referenced the IAEA's report on Iran, stating, 'This country now has 30 times the limit set by the JCPOA for enriched uranium, and its stockpile of uranium enriched to over 60% has significantly increased.' The statement continued, 'For years, due to Iran's refusal to fulfill its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA, the verification and monitoring process related to this agreement has been effectively impacted.' Britain, France, and Germany emphasized that they have always sought a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis, adding, 'In 2022, Iran twice refused to accept the outcome of negotiations that would bring it back into compliance with the JCPOA, instead opting to escalate and expand its nuclear program to a warning level.' These three European countries have called on Iran to: 1. Immediately stop its nuclear escalation and refrain from threatening to produce nuclear weapons. 2. Return to the limits set by the JCPOA, especially those related to enrichment. 3. Implement the commitments it has accepted regarding transparency and cooperation with the IAEA, including resuming all transparency measures it halted in February 2021. 4. Rapidly approve and implement the Additional Protocol. 5. Revoke its September 2023 decision regarding experienced IAEA inspectors. The three European countries added, 'These steps will help rebuild the necessary trust between Iran and the international community, trust that has been more eroded than ever by recent statements from Iranian officials regarding the country's technical capabilities to produce nuclear weapons and the possibility of changing its nuclear doctrine.' Concurrently, Iran, Russia, and China issued a joint statement accusing the U.S. and these three European countries of ignoring efforts to revive the nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA. The five-day meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors began on Monday at the agency's headquarters in Vienna and is set to focus specifically on the status of Iran's nuclear program. Following the submission of a draft resolution to the IAEA Board by Western powers criticizing Tehran's lack of cooperation with the agency, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization warned on Tuesday against any 'political pressure' on the Islamic Republic. Mohammad Eslami responded to Western countries' efforts to pass a resolution against the Islamic Republic in the Board of Governors, stating, 'If they issue a resolution or apply political pressure, we will certainly respond.' According to him, Iran's nuclear activities are 'within the framework of national law, safeguards, and the NPT.' He added, 'If their report shows any discrepancies, it is because they have not fulfilled their commitments under the JCPOA, and it is necessary for them to return to their commitments; we will also fulfill our commitments.' Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, stated at the beginning of the Board of Governors meeting on Monday that despite his visit to Tehran last month, he is 'deeply saddened' that Iran has not yet revoked its decision regarding the prevention of experienced IAEA inspectors' presence.