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IRAN-NUCLEAR-UN
UN dismayed by Iran nuclear deal hitting crossroads
UNITED NATIONS, June 28, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – Three years after its
unanimous endorsement by the Security Council, the Iranian nuclear deal is
“at a crossroads,” the United Nations’ top political official said on
Wednesday.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reached between Britain,
China, France, Germany, Russia, the United States, the European Union (EU)
and Iran in July 2015 to ensure Iran’s nuclear program would be exclusively
peaceful, is “at a crossroads” after Washington’s decision to withdraw from
the agreement, Rosemary DiCarlo, UN under-secretary-general for political
affairs, said.
Addressing the 15-nation Security Council on Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres’ fifth report on the implementation of the council’s resolution
endorsing the JCPOA, DiCarlo said since the agreement came into force on Jan.
16, 2016, the International Atomic Energy Agency had consistently reported
that Iran was abiding by its commitments.
She reiterated the secretary-general’s regret at the United States’
announcement as well as his call upon Iran to carefully consider the concerns
of member states about activities allegedly contrary to the restrictions set
out in the resolution.
DiCarlo said the secretariat had received information from two unidentified
member states on the supply, sale, transfer or export to Iran of dual-use
items that might be contrary to the resolution.
The report also included information from Israel and Iran on two Iranian
missile launches in January 2018, the UN’s recent assessment on Iranian
ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels into Saudi Arabia, and
information from Israel regarding the possible presence of an Iranian drone
in Syria, reportedly downed after entering Israeli airspace in February.
In the ensuing debate, delegates discussed annex B of the resolution, which
contains provisions to improve transparency and create an atmosphere
conducive to the full implementation of the JCPOA.
Jonathan Cohen, deputy permanent representative of the United States to the
UN, said Iran continued to destabilize the Middle East through its support
for terrorist groups and proxy forces. Calling on the Security Council to
shine a spotlight on Iran’s behavior, he said Tehran would face consequences
for its actions.
Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia was among the representatives
who expressed regret over the U.S. withdrawal from the deal.
The U.S. decision had “damaged the non-proliferation regime, as well as
security in the Middle East,” Nebenzia said, calling the report lacking
balance and reflecting unfounded accusations against Iran.
He expressed surprise at the document mentioning the U.S. decision only in
passing.
Joao Pedro Vale de Almeida, head of the EU delegation to the UN, said
preserving the Iran nuclear deal was “a key security interest for the bloc
and the whole international community.”
The full implementation of the agreement prevents a nuclear arms race in
the region and “there is no positive alternative to the JCPOA, which is the
fruit of more than 12 years of negotiation and a 104-page document endorsed
at the highest level by the international community,” he said.
As long as Iran implemented its nuclear obligations, the bloc would remain
committed to the full and effective implementation of the deal, he said.
Christoph Heusgen, German ambassador to the United Nations, said the
situation in the region and for European security had “taken a turn for the
worse” following the U.S. withdrawal.
Exiting the JCPOA would “undermine effective multilateralism and the rules-
based multilateral order,” he said.
Chinese Ambassador to the UN Ma Zhaoxu described the JCPOA as an important
multilateral achievement and a success story in addressing hot-spot issues
through diplomatic means. The JCPOA had proven to be an effective agreement
over three years, he said.
He called upon all parties to take a responsible attitude, consider the
long term, commit to dialogue, and cooperate with patience in order to
preserve the accord’s authority.
China would continue to participate in the procurement working group, as it
has consistently advocated resolution of the issue through diplomatic means,
and would maintain dialogue with all parties concerned in implementing the
JCPOA, Ma said.
On May 8, U.S. President Donald Trump decided to quit the landmark nuclear
deal and vowed to reimpose sanctions, including oil embargo, on Tehran,
triggering global criticism.
BSS/XINHUA/FI/ 1144 hrs