Jewish leaders reject IAEA vote

 


The following is a statement from Stephen Greenberg, chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman/CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations:

We are deeply dismayed at the vote by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 35-nation Board of Governors to close the file on the possible military dimensions (PMD) of Iran’s nuclear program despite Iran’s continuing lack of transparency and hindrance of the inspection work. Moreover, Iran was found by the IAEA to have lied about its nuclear program and many important questions remain unanswered.  This action by the IAEA board will compromise future inspection regimes and increases the likelihood of Iran’s continuing deceptions and clandestine advances of its nuclear weapons program.  Iranian officials continue to threaten to shut down the implementation processes and end their participation, as limited as it is, while adding impossible conditions to future cooperation. There had been repeated assurances from the P5+1 that the process would not move forward if there was not full compliance regarding PMD and other essential requirements of the JCOPA and other agreements.

This decision will weaken the IAEA’s credibility and effectiveness moving forward. Additionally, without full assessment of how advanced Iran’s nuclear program is, the IAEA will be unable to establish a baseline to measure future advances and to construct an effective verification and inspection regime.

Iran has continuously cheated and dissembled, as confirmed by the most recent IAEA report. The IAEA has determined that Iran lied about its pursuit of a nuclear weapons program after 2003 and certainly until 2009.  In a blatant act, Iran test launched two ballistic missiles, capable of delivering nuclear warheads, in clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions.  

Enabling movement towards “Implementation Day” based on such incomplete and even deceptive findings, poses serious dangers. The international community has an obligation to hold Iran to its commitments. What incentives will there be for future compliance if they see that stonewalling, deception, and threats, allow them to undermine and negate the provisions of the JCPOA. The United States and its allies should insist that the IAEA examine all evidence pertaining to Iranian violations and should respond forcefully to any violations.

 

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