Three European Countries Warn the Islamic Republic Ahead of the End of Iran's Missile Sanctions in October

As the missile sanctions against the Islamic Republic are set to expire in October this year, three European countries issued a joint statement following the latest JCPOA meeting at the United Nations Security Council, warning about the expiration of these sanctions and urging Iran to immediately de-escalate its activities. Britain, France, and Germany called on the Islamic Republic to take swift actions to create space for constructive engagement with the international community and deemed a new step towards reviving diplomacy in the nuclear field as vital. Part of UN Security Council Resolution 2241, which was adopted after the JCPOA agreement, stated that the missile sanctions against the Islamic Republic would also be lifted on October 18, 2023. If the sanctions are lifted, the Islamic Republic will be able to buy and sell missile components. The European countries stated that it was agreed in the JCPOA that in exchange for reducing Iran's enrichment to 3.67%, the global community would lift sanctions. After the United States exited the JCPOA during Donald Trump's presidency, the Islamic Republic increased its enrichment level to over 60%. The joint statement from the three European countries mentioned that the Islamic Republic continues to escalate tensions in the nuclear field without valid justification. This statement references the report from the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, stating that the Islamic Republic is not sufficiently adhering to its commitments. According to the joint statement, Iran has no valid civilian justification for intensifying its nuclear activities and, through these activities, is 'closer than ever to capabilities related to nuclear weapons.' Tehran has also not taken sufficient steps as part of the agreement made in March this year with the Agency and must act without delay in this regard. On Thursday, the Security Council held a periodic JCPOA meeting. In this meeting, the UN Deputy Secretary-General emphasized that diplomacy is the best option for resolving the Islamic Republic's nuclear file. Robert Wood, the U.S. representative at this meeting, criticized the insufficient actions regarding the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. Previously, the U.S. representative at the United Nations reacted to the publication of the Secretary-General's six-month report on Resolution 2231, stating, 'Unfortunately... it was incomplete as it does not fully address the recent drone violations.' Linda Thomas-Greenfield in her statement said that Antonio Guterres, despite being obligated to investigate evidence of Iranian drone transfers to Russia in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, did not accept proposals from Ukraine and other countries for reviewing 'irrefutable evidence,' calling it 'an inexplicable slip.' In this meeting, representatives from Russia and China spoke in defense of the Islamic Republic. The Russian representative stated that some countries deliberately present a distorted image of Iran's relations with the Agency. The Chinese representative also expressed support for the Security Council to play a constructive role regarding Iran's nuclear program. The Ukrainian representative was also present at this meeting, which was protested by the Iranian ambassador to the UN, who stated that it makes no sense for the Ukrainian ambassador to attend the JCPOA meeting. Western countries claim that Iran has provided military support to Moscow in the Russia-Ukraine war. Amir Saeed Iravani reiterated in Thursday's meeting that the Islamic Republic is still ready to resume negotiations. The Secretary-General's report on Resolution 2231; Guterres: The JCPOA remains the best option. The UN Deputy Secretary-General: The JCPOA is effectively stalled, the only viable option is 'diplomacy.' Reactions to the Secretary-General's six-month report on Resolution 2231; the U.S.: It is incomplete. The fifteenth report from Guterres on Resolution 2231; Iran should refrain from 'further violations of the JCPOA.' Detailed interview with John Bolton on Voice of America; from the impact of sanctions to Zarif's claims about Trump. The Guardian: Britain, Germany, and France will for the first time declare the JCPOA as 'violated.'