Reactions to the UN Secretary-General's Six-Month Report on Resolution 2231; US: Incomplete

The United States representative to the United Nations reacted to the publication of the UN Secretary-General's six-month report on Resolution 2231, stating, "Unfortunately... it was incomplete as it does not fully address the recent drone violations." According to Linda Thomas-Greenfield, despite being obligated to examine evidence of Iranian drone transfers to Russia in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, Antonio Guterres did not accept proposals from Ukraine and other countries to review "undeniable evidence," calling it "an inexplicable slip." She referred to the "global threat" of the development and proliferation of Iranian drones and their implications for peace and stability not only in the Middle East but also in Ukraine and other parts of the world, urging the UN Secretary-General to update his assessment of Iranian drones downed in Ukraine within the next 30 days. The US representative emphasized the need to address the repeated use of Iranian-made drones by Russians against Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure, stating, "This is a matter of life and death for the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian nation as an economically stable state." The reactions from Britain, France, and Germany, three European members of the JCPOA, included a joint statement asserting that the Islamic Republic has violated its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA for over four years and has escalated its nuclear program to dangerous levels. According to the joint statement from Britain, France, and Germany, this issue "poses the greatest concern for international peace and security." They noted that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium is 21 times above the JCPOA limit and that the levels of 20% and 60% enriched uranium are unprecedented for a country that does not have a nuclear weapons program. They also deemed the discovery of enriched uranium at 83.7% in the Fordow facility as very serious and contrary to the JCPOA. The three European powers stated that Iran has no legitimate civilian justification for escalating its nuclear activities and, through these activities, "is getting closer than ever to nuclear weapon capabilities." Tehran has also not taken sufficient steps as part of the March agreement with the agency and must act without delay in this regard. Britain, France, and Germany also stated that Iran's May missile test, capable of carrying a 1,500 kg warhead over a distance of 2,000 km, violates UN Security Council Resolution 2231. They noted that Iran has never ceased its ballistic missile program in contravention of the resolution. The three European powers further stated that the Islamic Republic has violated Resolution 2231 by repeatedly sending weapons to non-state actors. Another violation of Resolution 2231 by Iran, according to the three European parties to the JCPOA, is the repeated transfer of drones to Russia, knowing that these drones are used against Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. They warned Iran to immediately stop this action. Britain, France, and Germany have asked the UN Secretary-General to accept the invitation from the Ukrainians to visit the country and closely observe the numerous violations of Resolution 2231 through the transfer of drones by the Islamic Republic to Russia. The three European powers concluded their joint statement by emphasizing that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons and urged the Islamic Republic to cease its destabilizing actions in the nuclear field. Antonio Guterres, in his latest report on UN Security Council Resolution 2231, called on the United States to lift sanctions against Iran as stipulated in the JCPOA and to extend waivers for oil trade with Iran. He also urged the Islamic Republic to refrain from taking further steps contrary to its commitments under the JCPOA, to neutralize actions taken since July 2019, and to address other concerns raised by the parties to the JCPOA and other countries in Resolution 2231. Antonio Guterres also stated in paragraph 19 of his 22-paragraph report that he will continue to examine available information regarding the possible transfer of drones from Iran to Russia and will report his findings to the Security Council in due time.