Iran Threatens to 'Cease Implementation' of JCPOA if U.S. Atomic Sanctions Resume

During a UN Security Council meeting on the JCPOA on Wednesday, July 6, Iran's representative at the organization threatened that Tehran would stop implementing the JCPOA if sanctions were reimposed by the U.S. The Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) reported on Thursday, July 7, quoting a statement from Gholamali Khoshroo, Iran's permanent representative to the UN, that the 're-imposition' of U.S. sanctions would mark the beginning of the 'cessation of implementation' of Iran's commitments. The statement read: 'It is Iran's undeniable right to... consider the re-imposition of nuclear sanctions by the U.S. as a basis for stopping its commitments under the JCPOA, either wholly or partially.' The UN Secretary-General confirmed in his report to the Security Council on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic has remained committed to the nuclear agreement. In Antonio Guterres's report, it was emphasized that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed Iran's compliance with the nuclear agreement for the twelfth time, and Tehran has voluntarily allowed visits to other sites according to the Additional Protocol. However, Guterres also urged Iran to address the international community's concerns regarding its missile program, specifically activities contrary to the limitations and prohibitions of 'Annex B' [Resolution 2231]. In a section of 'Annex B' of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which was issued in support of the JCPOA, Iran is requested to refrain from activities related to ballistic missile programs capable of carrying nuclear warheads for eight years. Although Iranian officials have consistently denied that Iran is developing missiles capable of carrying warheads, Khoshroo's recent statement did not reference this part of the Secretary-General's remarks. Khoshroo focused solely on the JCPOA and viewed the confirmation of Iran's commitment to this agreement in the Security Council as a sign of 'U.S. isolation.' The Iranian representative at the UN also called for the U.S. to be held 'accountable for its unlawful actions in violation of the UN Charter and principles of international law.' He stated: 'The unilateral and illegal action of the U.S. in withdrawing from the JCPOA warrants international responsibility and represents a gross violation of U.S. commitments and clear non-compliance with Security Council Resolution 2231.' Donald Trump, a staunch critic of the nuclear agreement formalized in summer 2015, withdrew from the deal for various reasons, including the time limitations of the JCPOA, Iran's regional activities, and its missile program. However, Iran's threat to exit the JCPOA if U.S. sanctions are resumed comes at a time when U.S. pressure on Iran's oil customers is increasing day by day. On Tuesday of this week, a U.S. State Department official stated that Washington has asked countries buying Iranian oil to reduce their imports to zero starting November 1. The following day, Nikki Haley, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, urged India to cut its dependence on Iranian oil during a meeting with the Indian Prime Minister. In the past two months, several major European and Asian companies that had engaged with Iran over the past two years have announced that they feel compelled to leave Iran to avoid U.S. sanctions.