UN Deputy Secretary-General: The JCPOA is effectively stalled, the only viable option is 'diplomacy'

The UN Deputy Secretary-General on Thursday, during a hearing on the Secretary-General's six-month report regarding Resolution 2231, expressed regret over the halt in negotiations, stating that 'diplomacy' is the 'only effective way' to address Iran's nuclear issue, adding: 'Returning to full and effective implementation of the JCPOA is the only viable option.' According to the UN website, Rosemary DiCarlo, the Deputy Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, noted that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has effectively stalled, with Iran's enriched uranium stockpile exceeding the permitted limit by more than 20 times. The Deputy Secretary-General urged the United States to lift sanctions and extend waivers for oil trade with Iran, while also calling on Iran to revert its actions that contradict its nuclear commitments back to the previously agreed conditions under the JCPOA. DiCarlo supported the March agreement between Iran and the IAEA to expedite the resolution of major safeguards issues and welcomed Tehran's readiness for further IAEA monitoring and verification activities. She also added: 'While the existence of highly enriched uranium is no longer a matter of discussion, the UN remains concerned that the Agency cannot verify Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, which has now exceeded the permissible amount under the JCPOA.' Ms. DiCarlo referred to the differing views among member states regarding whether actions such as the transfer of drones from Iran to Russia and their use in Russia's war against Ukraine violate Resolution 2231, as well as Yemen's invitation to investigate the remnants of a cruise missile attack. Despite the conflicting views among the parties to the JCPOA, DiCarlo stated that the agreement remains the 'best available option' to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. The UN Secretary-General on Thursday published his fifteenth six-month report on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 in five sections and 22 paragraphs, urging the Islamic Republic to refrain from further violations of the JCPOA. UN Security Council Resolution 2231 was adopted on July 20, 2015, confirming the JCPOA signed six days earlier and nullifying six previous council resolutions against Iran due to its nuclear activities.