Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoSecurity Council
8297th Security Council Meeting: Non-Proliferation
Nearly three years after its unanimous endorsement by the Security Council, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear issue was at a crossroads in the wake of the decision by the United States to withdraw from that agreement, the top United Nations official for political matters told the 15-nation organ today.
Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, introduced the Secretary-General’s fifth report on the implementation of Council resolution 2231 (2015), saying that since the Plan of Action’s entry into force on 16 January 2016, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had consistently reported that Iran was abiding by its nuclear-related commitments. Unfortunately, however, the agreement was currently at a crossroads, she said, reiterating the Secretary-General’s deep regret at the announcement by the United States as well as his call upon Iran to carefully consider the concerns of Member States about activities that were allegedly contrary to restrictive provisions set out in annex B of resolution 2231 (2015).
Summarizing the Secretary-General’s report, she said the Secretariat had received information from two unidentified Member States on the supply, sale, transfer or export to Iran of dual-use items that might have been undertaken contrary to resolution 2231 (2015). The report also reflected information from Israel and Iran on two Iranian missile launches in January 2018, the Organization’s findings on ballistic missiles launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen into the territory of Saudi Arabia, and information from Israel regarding the possible presence of an Iranian drone in Syria, reportedly downed after entering Israeli airspace on 10 February 2018.
In the ensuing debate, delegates discussed, among other things, annex B of resolution 2231 (2015), containing provisions aimed at improving transparency and creating an atmosphere conducive to full implementation of the Plan of Action.
The representative of the United States said Iran continued to destabilize the Middle East through its support for terrorist groups and proxy forces. The Secretary-General’s report painted a deeply troubling picture, he said, calling on the Council to shine a spotlight on Iran’s behaviour and declaring that it would face consequences for its actions. Standing up to Iran was a mission that all members of the Council should share, he stressed.
The Russian Federation’s representative, however, criticized elements of the Secretary-General’s report. In particular, he expressed surprise that it mentioned the withdrawal of the United States only in passing, and that Washington’s imposition of unilateral sanctions on Iran violated resolution 2231 (2015). He added that the report lacked balance and reflected unfounded accusations against Iran. Moreover, it was unacceptable for the Secretariat to investigate violations of resolution 2231 (2015) without a Security Council mandate.
Kuwait’s delegate said that while the Plan of Action did not address all the Middle East’s concerns, it could promote regional security. At the same time, he expressed concern over the Secretary-General’s assessment of ballistic missiles fired from Yemen into Saudi Arabia and pressed the Council to follow up on the non-proliferation and related issues contained in resolution 2231 (2015).
The representative of the European Union delegation said that preserving the Iran nuclear deal was a key security interest for the bloc and the whole international community. Full implementation of the agreement prevented a nuclear arms race in the region, he emphasized, continuing: “There is no positive alternative to the JCPOA, which is the fruit of more than 12 years of negotiation and a 104-page document endorsed at the highest level by the international community.” As long as Iran implemented its nuclear-related obligations, the bloc would remain firmly committed to the full and effective implementation of the deal.
The representative of Germany — which concluded the Plan of Action alongside China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States, Iran and the European Union — said the situation in the region and for European security had taken a turn for the worse following the withdrawal of the United States. Exiting the Plan of Action would undermine effective multilateralism and the rules-based multilateral order, he said, adding, however, that Germany would remain committed to the agreement so long as Iran complied with its provisions.
Also speaking today were representatives of France, Kazakhstan, United Kingdom, Ethiopia, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Poland, Netherlands (also in his capacity as Security Council facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015)), Equatorial Guinea, Bolivia, Peru and Sweden.
The meeting began at 3:22 p.m. and ended at 5:19 p.m.
