Iran demands suspension of US membership in IAEA at Vienna conference

September 17, 2026 at 07:45 PM2 min

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Iran's delegation at the 70th IAEA General Conference in Vienna demanded the suspension of US membership in the agency, citing Washington's violations of the IAEA statute. The demand follows what Tehran describes as 18 waves of attacks on its nuclear facilities by the US and Israel in 2025-2026.

Key Facts

Iran's delegation raised the issue of suspending US membership in the IAEA at the 70th General Conference in Vienna.
The Iranian statement says the US and Israel initiated 18 waves of attacks on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards in 2025 and 2026.
Article XIX.B of the IAEA statute allows suspension of membership rights for a state that has persistently violated the statute or agreements, requiring a two-thirds majority vote by the General Conference.
Iran's permanent representative in Vienna questioned whether a country with such a record of violations should have its membership suspended under Article XIX.B.
Iran previously demanded US exclusion from the IAEA in April 2010, when Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called the US 'the world's only atomic criminal' and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for removing the US from the agency.

Iranian Demand at IAEA

Iran's delegation at the 70th IAEA General Conference in Vienna formally raised the question of suspending US membership in the agency. The Iranian statement cited massive aggressive actions by the US against Iran in 2025 and 2026 as a substantial violation of the UN Charter's prohibition on the use of force. It also stated that the US, jointly with Israel, initiated 18 waves of attacks on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. Iranian diplomats asked whether membership of such a country should not be suspended as required by Article XIX.B.

Legal Basis and Procedure

Article XIX.B of the IAEA statute provides for suspension of the rights and privileges of membership for a state that has persistently violated the statute or an agreement. The General Conference may take such a decision by a two-thirds majority vote upon recommendation of the Board of Governors. Iran's permanent representative in Vienna stated that all members must fulfill their obligations under the IAEA statute in good faith.

Historical Precedents and Context

Tehran has previously demanded the exclusion of the United States from the IAEA. In April 2010, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called the US 'the world's only atomic criminal', and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for removing the US from the IAEA. Iranian media reported that Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, called for enhanced measures to protect information about the country's nuclear infrastructure amid ongoing aggression. Kamalvandi said Tehran does not trust IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi due to the politicized nature of his statements and reports, and Iran is restricting access to data on damaged facilities to prevent their use by adversaries for planning new attacks.