The Objectives of IAEA Safeguards are technically defined as:

the timely detection of diversion of significant quantities of nuclear material from peaceful nuclear activities to the manufacture of nuclear weapons or of other nuclear explosive devices or for purposes unknown, and deterrence of such diversion by the risk of early detection

This is typically translated as meaning that safeguards are applied to verify a State's compliance with its undertaking to accept safeguards on all nuclear material in all its peaceful nuclear activities and to verify that such material is not diverted to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. Since the implementation of the Additional Protocol (AP), a second technical objective has been pursued, the detection of undeclared nuclear materials and activities in a state. AP measures under INFCIRC 540* have considerably strengthened the ability of the IAEA to meet this objective.