The announcement, published on November 6 and 7 through the State Department’s “Rewards for Justice” program and subsequently reposted by US Central Command, has raised serious concerns about the security and integrity of the nuclear program of a state party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Araghchi said in letters dated November 10.
The US reward offer covers information about individuals associated with Iran’s nuclear program, members of its scientific community, as well as nuclear facilities and equipment. It also includes the possibility of relocation for those providing information.
Iran condemned the move as reckless and dangerous, arguing that it explicitly encourages the covert gathering of information and espionage targeting nuclear facilities, materials, technical equipment, scientists and specialists.
Tehran warned that the announcement could encourage espionage and attempts to target nuclear scientists and technical personnel, while raising serious concerns about the safety of nuclear facilities and those involved in peaceful nuclear activities.
In his letters, Araghchi referred to Article IV of the NPT, which recognizes the right of all states to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in accordance with their international obligations.
He stressed that no state should seek to undermine another country's legitimate peaceful nuclear activities through coercive measures, covert interference or actions that endanger the security of its nuclear facilities and scientific community.
Araghchi also said that publicly soliciting confidential information about the nuclear facilities, equipment and personnel of an independent state, particularly when those facilities are under IAEA safeguards, raises serious questions about the credibility, integrity and reliability of the agency's safeguards system.
He emphasized that the normal implementation of safeguards obligations cannot be expected when safeguarded facilities, personnel and sensitive information are exposed to assassination, sabotage and aggression.
Facilities under IAEA safeguards remain protected by international law, and the application of safeguards does not diminish a state's sovereign rights, he noted. He also warned that information obtained in connection with safeguards could be misused for purposes entirely contrary to the agency's verification mission.
The Iranian foreign minister described the explicit inclusion of nuclear scientists and technical personnel in the US reward announcement as deeply concerning, stressing that scientists and technical experts working in the peaceful nuclear field must be able to perform their professional duties without intimidation, threats, coercion or exposure to activities that endanger their lives and personal security.
Araghchi called on the UN secretary-general and the Security Council to immediately draw the international community's attention to the serious implications of the US announcement for international peace and security.
He also urged them to address, within the framework of their responsibilities under the UN Charter, the threats posed by US actions to the safety and security of nuclear facilities, equipment and related personnel, and to hold Washington accountable for its continued wrongful acts.
In his letter to the IAEA director general, Araghchi specifically called for reaffirming the importance of preserving the confidentiality, impartiality and institutional independence of the agency's safeguards activities.
He further urged Grossi to take all necessary measures within the agency's mandate to prevent the disclosure or misuse of safeguards-related information and knowledge for purposes contrary to its mission, with particular attention to the safety and security of nuclear scientists and relevant personnel.
The Iranian foreign minister also called on the IAEA chief to bring the matter before the agency's Board of Governors and consider the necessary institutional measures.
Iran requested that the letters be circulated as official documents of both the UN Security Council and the IAEA.
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