Nikki Haley: The Security Council Will Hold a Meeting on Iran Under Trump's Leadership

Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, stated on Tuesday, September 5, that Donald Trump, the President of the United States, is set to preside over a UN Security Council meeting regarding Iran. Haley mentioned that this meeting will take place in late September during the UN General Assembly with the attendance of world leaders. She, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council, indicated that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss how to exert more pressure on Iran for violating UN resolutions. According to Reuters, diplomats say that Iran may request to speak at the Security Council meeting on September 26, which coincides with the General Assembly. It is expected that Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, will address the General Assembly on September 25. Haley, speaking to reporters at a press conference at the UN, also stated that Iran has the right to speak at the Security Council, depending on whether Rouhani wishes to do so, but she believes he has the right to address the council based on the rules. Rouhani has previously rejected any meeting with the U.S. President. Haley also remarked that it is hard to find a conflict in the region where Iran is not involved, and she believes this is a problem. She expressed that the U.S. is very interested in Iran joining the mainstream of the international community and being a credible country that wants to behave well in the world, but they do not see that happening. During the Tuesday meeting and discussions regarding the U.S. agenda for the Security Council during its presidency, Dmitry Polyanskiy, the deputy representative of Russia, stated that the meeting on Iran should address the implementation of the Security Council resolution regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran, known as the JCPOA. Polyanskiy emphasized that they hope views on the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA will be discussed in such a meeting. Donald Trump announced on May 8 the decision for Washington to withdraw from the nuclear agreement with Iran, known as the JCPOA, involving six world powers. Trump also stated that sanctions against Iran would be reinstated. The first phase of U.S. sanctions was implemented on July 13, and the second phase, which primarily targets Iran's oil industry, is set to be enforced on November 4. U.S. officials say they are working to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero by that time. French officials have called for negotiations regarding Iran's missile program and its role in the region. U.S. officials claim that Iran has not adhered to the spirit of the JCPOA due to its 'destabilizing' actions in the Middle East, including missile activities and support for regional militia groups. The U.S. is seeking negotiations regarding the JCPOA, missile program, and Iran's regional activities, while Iranian officials assert that Tehran will not negotiate about the JCPOA or its missile program.