The United States delivered a statement at the Extraordinary Session of the IAEA Board of Governors on June 23, 2025, addressing recent military actions against Iran. McCoy Pitt, Senior Bureau Official from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Organization Affairs, stated that the U.S. conducted precision strikes to dismantle Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity. This move was described as support for Israel's defense against threats posed by Iran’s nuclear program.
Pitt explained that the strikes targeted three locations linked to Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts. He emphasized that these actions were in response to what he called an urgent threat due to Iran’s accelerated production and stockpiling of highly enriched uranium since December 2024.
Pitt noted that "there is no credible civilian justification for Iran to enrich" uranium to high levels or accumulate such large quantities. He also pointed out that only countries with nuclear weapons typically engage in this level of enrichment.
The U.S., according to Pitt, took these actions under the principle of self-defense as outlined in the UN Charter and asserted that they were carefully planned with consideration for safety, including that of Iranian civilians and international inspectors present in Iran.
President Trump reiterated his stance against allowing Iran to develop a nuclear weapon, citing regional security concerns as necessitating decisive action. The statement made clear that neither the IAEA nor its Director General had prior knowledge or involvement in these military operations.
In closing remarks, Pitt reaffirmed U.S. commitment to peace and nonproliferation efforts while urging Iran to avoid further hostilities and engage in negotiations regarding its nuclear activities.