The United Nations chief on Tuesday encouraged the US and Iran to build on the work already accomplished in earlier rounds of diplomatic engagements and to return to full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear program (JCPOA) and resolution 2231 as soon as possible.
“I appealed to the US to lift or waive its sanctions as outlined in the Plan… and I appeal to Iran to return to full implementation of the Plan and to reverse the steps that it has taken since July 2019, which it pledged are reversible,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his 12th biannual briefing on Resolution 2231 of July 2015, which endorsed the JCPOA.
“Those steps are needed to facilitate the full and proper implementation of the Plan and resolution,” he said.
On Tuesday, the Security Council was briefed on Guterres’ latest report on the implementation of the resolution.
Guterres said that despite difficulties encountered in the implementation of the Plan in recent years, he has always believed that it represents the best option available to realize the goals of non-proliferation, multilateral diplomacy and regional security in a manner that delivers tangible economic benefits for the Iranian people.
The Secretary-General said he was encouraged by the diplomatic engagements to facilitate the return of the US and Iran to full and effective implementation of the Plan and the resolution.
However, he said that in its most recent reports, the International Atomic Energy Agency documented that Tehran has continued its research and development activities related to uranium metal production.
Guterres revealed that while the Agency has not been able to verify the total enriched uranium stockpile in Iran, it estimated that, as at 6 November 2021, its stockpile was 2,489.7 kg (above the limit of 202.8 kg), including 113.8 kg enriched to 20 per cent uranium-235 and 17.7 kg enriched to 60 per cent uranium-235.
“I further urge Iran to carefully consider and address the other concerns raised by participants in the Plan and by other Member States in relation to resolution 2231,” he said.
Although the Security Council called upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles, Guterres said he had received several letters from Permanent Representatives of France, Germany, the UK, the US and Israel, informing him that Iran had conducted two flight tests of satellite launch vehicles.
Talks resumed on salvaging the JCPOA on November 29. Diplomats from Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia are attending.
Former US President Donald Trump pulled America out of the 2015 agreement during his presidency and US President Joe Biden wants to negotiate their return.
Iran wants Washington to lift a raft of sanctions and is asking as well for guarantees.
