Reuters: 1+5 Agreement on Possible Restoration of Sanctions Against Iran

Reuters reported, citing Western officials, that the 1+5 countries have reached an agreement on how to restore UN sanctions against Iran in the event of a violation of the comprehensive nuclear agreement by Iran. The news agency quoted a Western diplomat stating that Russia and China have also agreed to this mechanism, and now Iran must consent to it. According to Western officials, under this agreement, any potential violation of the final agreement by Iran will be pursued and assessed by a dispute resolution group that will likely include members of the 1+5 group and Iran. The report states that, similar to the Lausanne understanding, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be responsible for verifying Iran's compliance with its commitments. However, these Western officials did not provide further details on how the restoration of UN sanctions against Iran would occur. Nonetheless, Western powers insist that the mechanism for the return of UN sanctions in the event of a violation by Iran does not require re-approval by the UN Security Council and that the return of these sanctions should be automatic based on conditions that will be approved in a potential UN Security Council resolution if a final agreement is reached between Iran and the 1+5 group. An unnamed senior Iranian diplomat told Reuters that Iran is currently considering several options regarding the potential return of UN sanctions against Tehran. The report emphasizes that there are still technical and political obstacles to a final agreement between Iran and the 1+5 group, including the issue of inspectors' access to Iran's military facilities. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister, on Sunday, June 10, pointed out that there are still 'numerous points of contention' between Iran and the 1+5 group, stating that these disagreements are 'both technical and political.' According to the Islamic Republic News Agency, Mohammad Javad Zarif identified the contentious issues as those 'raised in public discussions.' Zarif's comments come as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry described a one-day negotiation with Iran's foreign minister on Saturday as 'very good and positive.' However, Abbas Araqchi, a senior member of Iran's nuclear negotiation team, mentioned on Saturday that the implementation of the Additional Protocol is one of the contentious issues between Iran and the 1+5 group, emphasizing that interviews with Iranian nuclear scientists and inspections of military sites are 'completely off the table,' but discussions between Iran and the 1+5 group continue within the framework of 'procedures' anticipated by the Additional Protocol. Zarif also referred to the Supreme Leader's remarks, indicating that 'other solutions' would be explored to 'resolve' these issues. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ruled out interviews with Iranian nuclear scientists and inspections of military sites, while Amir Ali Hajizadeh, a commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has deemed inspections of these sites 'espionage' under any title. In support of the Supreme Leader's statements, a rally was held in Qom on Saturday with a speech by Gholamali Haddad Adel, head of the conservative faction in parliament, and another rally titled 'We Will Not Allow' was held last Thursday with speeches from critics of Iran's nuclear negotiation team in Mashhad. However, according to Hossein Ali Amiri, the Deputy Minister of Interior, an order was issued on Saturday by the Minister of Interior stating that no 'permits' should be issued for holding 'nuclear gatherings.' He emphasized that the Ministry of Interior would deal with unauthorized gatherings and their organizers 'according to the law.'