Review of Iran's Nuclear Program at the UN Security Council; European Troika Puts 'Trigger Mechanism' on the Table

The periodic meeting of the United Nations Security Council to review the implementation of Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA was held, during which member countries, especially the European Troika, expressed concern over Iran's nuclear activities and warned about the possibility of activating the 'trigger mechanism.' On Monday, July 4, the U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations stated that the Iranian government continues to violate the 2015 nuclear agreement and obstruct the monitoring processes of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors, emphasizing that there should be no hesitation in condemning this behavior. Robert Wood referred to the IAEA Director General's report, which asserts that Iran's activities to expand its nuclear program are not justifiable for peaceful purposes, adding that Iran must take actions to restore international community trust rather than continue activities that pose significant risks. The UK Permanent Representative to the UN also warned of the potential activation of the trigger mechanism by the European Troika against Iran. Barbara Woodward deemed Iran's uranium enrichment at 30 times the agreed limit in the JCPOA unacceptable, stating that all diplomatic options to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons are on the table. The French ambassador to the UN also called for the use and activation of the 'trigger mechanism' in response to Iran's behavior. Nicolas de Riviere regarded the current level of uranium enrichment in Iran as lacking civilian and peaceful justification, noting that Iran has repeatedly violated its JCPOA commitments over the past five years and its inadequate cooperation with the IAEA has raised significant concerns. Activating the trigger mechanism, as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2231 for the implementation of the 2015 nuclear agreement, would lead to the resumption of all international sanctions against Tehran. The Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany to the UN was another speaker at today's Security Council meeting regarding Iran's nuclear issue, emphasizing the need for a global commitment to ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. Thomas Zaineisen pointed out that Iran's uranium enrichment has exceeded 30 times the permissible limit in the JCPOA, stating, 'Iran's lack of cooperation with the IAEA is concerning, and the expansion of Iran's enrichment calls into question its commitment to renegotiation.' He also urged Tehran to cooperate with the IAEA and not oppose the activities of the agency's experienced inspectors, as he stated that continuing this trend would lead to further isolation of the Iranian government. Amir Saeed Iravani, the representative of the Islamic Republic at the UN, did not provide new explanations at this meeting and reiterated the government's previous claims, attributing Tehran's non-compliance with the agreement to the United States' withdrawal from the JCPOA and accusing the European Troika of disseminating 'false information' about Iran's nuclear activities. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has presented his seventeenth report in connection with the implementation of Resolution 2231, which was read at the Security Council meeting on Monday by Rosemary DiCarlo, his political deputy. According to Resolution 2231, the UN Secretary-General's report on Iran's nuclear activities is presented and discussed at the regular meetings of the Security Council every six months. Rafael Grossi, the IAEA Director General, also stated on June 14 that Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles, including uranium enriched to 60%, continue to increase. On June 16, the IAEA Board of Governors called on Iranian officials to take steps to cooperate with the agency more swiftly and to lift the ban on the entry of experienced inspectors from this UN nuclear oversight body into Iran. An American think tank expert told Voice of America: 'It is not too late' to prevent the construction of a nuclear bomb in Iran. The organization 'United Against a Nuclear Iran' welcomed the Canadian government's action; all radical activities related to the IRGC will be banned. New construction at two Iranian nuclear sites; The Washington Post reported that the rate of enriched uranium production at Fordow may triple. The U.S. and Israel are reviewing new information regarding Iran's nuclear activities. France, Germany, and the UK condemned Iran's actions to expand its nuclear program. Leaders of the 'Group of Seven' warned Iran: Stop enrichment activities and cooperate with the agency. The U.S. stated that the expansion of Tehran's nuclear program has no legitimate peaceful purpose, and we will respond.