Review of the Implementation of the JCPOA Resolution at the UN Security Council Meeting; 'Time is Running Out'

The UN Deputy Secretary-General emphasized the urgent need for a nuclear agreement with Iran, stating that time is running out. The US and European countries also stressed that Iran's nuclear activities have no credible civilian justification and urged Tehran to stop escalating nuclear tensions. The periodic meeting of the UN Security Council to review the implementation of Resolution 2231, which endorsed the JCPOA, was held on Tuesday evening, December 18. At the beginning of the meeting, the UN Secretary-General's report was read by his political deputy, Rosemary DiCarlo. Ms. DiCarlo emphasized that time is running out, stating that while the responsibility for the JCPOA lies with the participants in the agreement and the United States, 'its success or failure is important for all of us, and the region cannot endure further instability.' The nuclear agreement between six world powers and Iran, known as the JCPOA, was concluded in July 2015, and the UN Security Council endorsed it in Resolution 2231. The ten-year period of this resolution will expire in September next year. During the meeting, the US representative warned that Iran's nuclear activities continue to pose serious concerns and that Tehran is still contributing to instability in the region and the world. Robert Wood, the US Deputy Ambassador to the UN, added that although diplomacy is the best option, as we have made clear, Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, and to achieve this goal, 'we are prepared to use all elements of our national power.' Representatives from European countries also emphasized that Iran's expanding nuclear activities have no civilian justification, and they are ready to reinstate all sanctions. James Kariuki, the UK Deputy Ambassador to the UN, stated that all diplomatic steps, 'including activating the snapback mechanism,' will be taken to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Thomas Zannaisen, Germany's representative at the meeting, also emphasized that Iran's recent actions and statements have raised serious concerns, and the option of 'further steps' against Tehran remains on the table. The three European countries involved in the JCPOA recently announced that if Iran continues its current course, they are prepared to reinstate all sanctions and activate the 'snapback mechanism.' The snapback mechanism, or the immediate and automatic reinstatement of all UN sanctions against Iran (in a specified process), is a process outlined in the JCPOA and will remain valid until the expiration of this agreement in September next year. However, the Iranian representative at the meeting criticized the snapback mechanism for becoming 'a tool in your hands for abuse and threats.' Amir Saeed Iravani, Iran's ambassador to the UN, also stated that if the snapback mechanism is activated, the Islamic Republic will respond with a 'decisive and proportional' answer. Tehran claims that its nuclear program is of a civilian nature, but reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency have emphasized that Iran is the only non-nuclear country that has enriched uranium to 60% and has not provided a credible civilian justification for it. The UN Deputy Secretary-General also stated at the Tuesday night meeting that the Agency, the body affiliated with this organization, cannot assure the international community about the 'peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.' The European troika of France, Britain, and Germany emphasized in a joint statement just before the UN Security Council meeting that the remaining months until the expiration of the JCPOA are crucial for finding a solution. They stated that the next ten months 'will be very important for regional stability and for finding a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear crisis.' The European troika also reminded that Iran has begun to increase uranium production with 60% enrichment, close to the enrichment level needed for making nuclear weapons, at this critical juncture. This statement comes as the IAEA Board of Governors issued a reprimand against Iran on December 1. The three European countries involved in the JCPOA also referred to the increase in enriched uranium reserves 'at an unprecedented level,' the installation of advanced centrifuges, and Tehran's lack of cooperation with the Agency. France, Britain, and Germany warned that Iran must change its course, stop escalating nuclear tensions, and pave the way for a diplomatic solution. The nuclear agreement between six world powers and Iran, known as the JCPOA, was concluded in July 2015. In May 2018, Donald Trump, the then President of the United States, announced the US withdrawal from this agreement, and Iran has since repeatedly violated its commitments.