The UN Security Council to Hold a Closed Meeting on Iran's Nuclear Program

News agencies have reported, citing diplomatic sources, that the United Nations Security Council is set to hold a closed meeting regarding Iran's uranium reserves, which have approached levels necessary for nuclear weapon construction. According to Reuters, this meeting, requested by the United States, France, Britain, South Korea, Greece, and Panama—six of the fifteen members of the Security Council—is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13. Diplomats have stated that these countries also seek to address questions from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding the discovery of uranium particles at undeclared sites in Iran. Iran has consistently denied allegations of seeking nuclear weapons, but according to IAEA reports, it has increased uranium enrichment to 60%, which is technically not far from the 90% enrichment required for nuclear weapons. The U.S. and the three European countries involved in the JCPOA have warned that this level of enrichment is unprecedented for a non-nuclear weapon state and lacks any credible justification. Iran and six world powers signed a nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA in July 2015, which lifted international sanctions in exchange for Iran's commitment to limit its nuclear program. However, Donald Trump accused Iran of not adhering to the spirit of the JCPOA during his first term and announced the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement in May 2018. Following this, Iran has rolled back some of its commitments under the JCPOA. Britain, France, and Germany, the three European countries in the JCPOA, have expressed readiness to initiate the process of reinstating all international sanctions against Iran, known as the 'snapback mechanism,' citing Iran's non-compliance with the nuclear agreement and the expansion of its nuclear program. The U.S. and these three European countries have reiterated their determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The duration of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the JCPOA, is ten years, and after its expiration on October 18, 2025, the snapback mechanism will no longer be available. Mr. Trump has asked the U.S. ambassador to the UN to activate the snapback mechanism in cooperation with Washington's Western allies to restore all sanctions against Iran. The U.S. President has recently reiterated his determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and warned that Tehran faces two options: agreement or military action. However, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, has rejected the proposal for negotiations with the U.S., and Abbas Araqchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, has stated that Tehran will not negotiate under pressure. Araqchi also mentioned on Sunday that Tehran is in discussions with China and Russia, as well as separately with the three European countries, to explore ways to build 'trust and transparency' regarding its nuclear program. Additionally, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that Tehran may be willing to accept limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.