Iran, China and Russia have written a joint letter to the UN Secretary-General confirming the termination of UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2231 on the Islamic Republic’s peaceful nuclear energy program. The letter, written by the allied diplomatic mission to the world body, was addressed to Antonio Guterres and the president of the United Nations Security Council.
The allies said they “affirm that, in accordance with substantive paragraph 8 of resolution 2231, all its provisions terminate after October 18, 2025.”
The day therefore “marks the conclusion of the Security Council’s consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue,” the envoys added.
The resolution endorsed the historic 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and other countries, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Upon ratification, it mandated the suspension of nuclear-related sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
However, in 2018, the US illegally and unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal and returned sanctions. In 2020, the US even unsuccessfully tried to trigger the JCPOA’s so-called “snapback” mechanism, which would have reinstated all nuclear-related embargoes on Iran. America’s European allies then bowed to American pressure, reneged on their promise to return the United States to the nuclear deal, and also suspended trade with Iran.
The entire Western bid has focused on allegations of “diversion” of Iran’s nuclear activities, a claim that has never been verified despite the International Atomic Energy Agency’s most in-depth inspections ever.
Earlier this year, European countries – the UK, France and Germany – attempted to trigger the “snapback” mechanism that led to the reinstatement of sanctions late last month. The letter reminded the three that they had no legal right to have their sanctions reinstated given their non-commitment to the JCPOA.
“E3 lacks standing to invoke the provisions of the Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM) because it has voluntarily discontinued its commitments under both the JCPOA and Resolution 2231, and has failed to fully follow the Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM) procedures.”
On the other hand, it pointed out that the Security Council’s compliance with the expiration dates of resolutions “contributes to strengthening the Council’s authority and the credibility of multilateral diplomacy.”
Diplomats ultimately called on all parties to create a favorable atmosphere and conditions for diplomatic efforts.
MNA/IRN86013702