Iran Challenges U.S. Membership on IAEA Board of Governors
Tehran argues that alleged U.S. attacks on Iran undermine Washington’s eligibility and create a conflict of interest
Iran has rejected the United States’ membership on the IAEA Board of Governors, arguing that alleged U.S. attacks on Iran create a conflict of interest and violate the principles underlying the IAEA statute. The claim and related allegations are reported solely through Iran’s official account in the supplied evidence and are not independently verified.
Iran has rejected the United States’ designation as a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors, arguing that Washington’s alleged military actions against Iran are incompatible with the IAEA statute and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
In a statement issued during the IAEA’s 70th General Conference on September 17, Iran’s delegation said U.S. membership would allow a country accused of violating international law to participate in decisions directly related to its own conduct. Tehran characterized this as a structural conflict of interest that could weaken the board’s impartiality and further damage confidence in the agency.
The Iranian delegation cited provisions of the IAEA statute requiring the agency and its members to act in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations and to promote peace, disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It argued that eligibility for the Board of Governors should not be assessed solely on the basis of technological capability, but also on compliance with statutory obligations and good-faith conduct.
Iran’s statement alleged that the United States carried out extensive attacks against Iran in 2025 and 2026, including 18 waves of strikes—together with Israel—against Iranian nuclear facilities under safeguards. It also alleged that 168 children were killed in an attack on a school in Minab. The statement described these allegations as serious violations of the UN Charter, international law and the IAEA statute, and called for the suspension of U.S. membership under Article XIX(b) of the statute.
The available evidence consists of an account by Iran’s official IRNA news agency summarizing the Iranian delegation’s statement. The allegations regarding military attacks, casualties, the legal status of the strikes and the formal validity of the U.S. membership decision are not independently established in the supplied material. The report confirms Iran’s position and its request, but does not show whether the IAEA or other member states accepted the legal interpretation or whether any suspension procedure was initiated.