"I am worried about increasing tensions over the Iranian nuclear issue," said Yukiya Amano, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In a statement to the agency's board of governors on 10 June he called on Iran to fully implement its commitments.

Yukiya Amano addresses media after the Board of Governors meeting (Image: Dean Calma - IAEA)

Since January 2016, the IAEA has been verifying and monitoring Iran's implementation of its nuclear-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK and the USA). The USA has since withdrawn from the agreement and increasing tensions have seen Iran's Supreme National Security Council issue an order on 8 May to stop some of Iran's measures.

Amano told the board of governors that the JCPOA "represents a significant gain for nuclear verification" and that he hopes "that ways can be found to reduce current tensions through dialogue."

"It is essential that Iran fully implements its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA," Amano said, noting that IAEA "continues to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material" declared by Iran and that "evaluations regarding the absence of undeclared material and activities continue."

Sustainable development

Amano is known for revising the IAEA's mandate from its original 'Atoms for Peace' to 'Atoms for Peace and Development'. He took time to highlight to board members that IAEA put forward the contribution of nuclear science and technology to the Sustainable Development Goals at two events: the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, and the International Conference on Public-Private Partnerships for the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This continues the trend of nuclear energy finding more acceptance among international bodies and events considering global strategies for development and tackling climate change.

Amano also noted IAEA's International Conference on Climate Change and the Role of Nuclear Power, being organised for October this year. He said it will highlight "the many ways in which nuclear technology can offer proven solutions to some of today's most pressing climate-related challenges".

"I am worried about increasing tensions over the Iranian nuclear issue," said Yukiya Amano, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In a statement to the agency's board of governors on 10 June he called on Iran to fully implement its commitments.