Iran Nuclear Deal Implementation – (Full Meeting) UN Security Council: Non-proliferation

Non-proliferation – Security Council, 8564th meeting
•Letter dated 13 June 2019 from the Security Council Facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2019/488).
• Seventh report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015) (S/2019/492).
•Letter dated 21 June 2019 from the Security Council Facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2019/514)
——-

At a Security Council meeting today (26 Jun) discussing the latest Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of resolution 2331 which endorsed the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), Ravanchi said the withdrawal by the United States (US) from the deal rendered it almost fully ineffective with respect to Iran’s benefits. He said US threats to other countries to either violate the resolution of face punishment violates international law and further erodes trust in the Council.

The Iranian ambassador said his country paid a heavy price through its policy of strategic patience in order to preserve the nuclear deal, adding that in “practical terms, the JCPOA has become an agreement which is being respected only by one party.” He said, “A multilateral agreement cannot be implemented unilaterally.”

Ravanchi said Iran’s decision to limit its implementation of its commitments to the plan, namely in the reserve levels of enriched uranium and heavy water, was in full conformity with the JCPOA. He said the deal stated that in case of a re-introduction or re-imposition of sanctions, Iran would have the right to cease performing its commitments under the JCPOA in whole or in part.

Majid Takht Ravanchi, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations:
“The Islamic Republic of Iran entered into negotiations with goodwill, agreed with the JCPOA’s conclusion with goodwill, implemented its commitment with goodwill, and after the US withdrawal, provided enough time to remaining JCPOA participants with goodwill to shoulder their responsibilities. Now, the remaining JCPOA participants, particularly the E3, must either prove their goodwill by taking timely, adequate, serious and practical steps to preserve the JCPOA which is now in critical condition or, along with the US, accept the full responsibility for any possible consequences.”

UN political chief Rosemary Di Carlo said Secretary-General António Guterres regrets that the US recently decided not to extend waivers with regard to trade in oil with Iran and not to fully renew waivers for non-proliferation projects in the framework of the JCPOA. She said these actions may impede the ability of Iran and other Member States to implement certain provisions of the deal.

The Head of the European Union’s delegation to the UN, João Pedro Vale de Almeida, said the JCPOA was delivering on its nuclear goal and, as confirmed by 15 consecutive IAEA reports, Iran has continued to implement its nuclear-related commitments, and must continue to do so.

He said the lifting of sanctions allowing for the normalization of trade and economic relations with Iran also constitute essential parts of the JCPOA, and as such, the EU deeply regretted the withdrawal of the US and its subsequent re-imposition of unilateral sanctions.

De Almeida noted that the operationalization of INSTEX (Instrument for Supporting Trade Exchanges), a special purpose vehicle conducive to effective financial channels, was moving ahead and would enable legitimate trade with Iran, consistent with international and European laws and regulations. He said, “The EU remains committed to the JCPOA. It does not accept any ultimatums and will assess Iran’s compliance on the basis of Iran’s performance regarding its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA and the NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons).”

The EU representative said, “Today we may be at a critical juncture regarding the future of the JCPOA. Yet, it should be recalled that the JCPOA is a nuclear agreement that has been working and delivering on its goals. There is also no credible, peaceful alternative to it. The EU -together with other partners of the international community will continue to work relentlessly to preserve the JCPOA as long as Iran abides by its commitments.”

US ambassador Jonathan Cohen said as Iran continues to destabilize the Middle East not only through support to terrorist groups and proxy forces, but now through attacks on commercial shipping. He added that Iran’s actions are deeply counterproductive and will increase Iran’s isolation.

Cohen said the United States had made clear its willingness to engage in dialogue with Iran to negotiate a deal that would better serve international peace and security, but in the meantime, it would not sit idly by while Iran perpetrates attacks on its partners in the region and on commercial vessels in the Gulf.

source