Iran's ambassador to the United Nations Saeed Iravani has strongly rejected accusations by  France, the UK, and Germany (the E3) that Tehran is failing to comply with its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Security Council President Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Iravani slammed the E3 for breaching their own obligations under the agreement and urged a renewed focus on mutual diplomacy.

What were the E3's allegations?

In a joint letter sent to Guterres on December 6, the E3 claimed that Iran had significantly escalated its nuclear activities in violation of the JCPOA and UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

They cited Iran's enrichment of uranium to 60% purity, the expansion of enrichment activities at facilities like Fordow, and reduced cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), asserting that these actions posed serious proliferation risks and lacked a credible civilian purpose despite the absence of concrete evidence to support their claims.

Iran Defends Its Actions

In his letter dated December 9, Iravani described the E3's claims as "baseless" and argued that their stance ignores Iran's sustained efforts to uphold the agreement, despite the US' withdrawal in 2018 and the imposition of severe sanctions.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran categorically rejects the claims in the E3 letter regarding Iran's alleged non-compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA," Iravani wrote.

"Any allegation regarding Iran's implementation of its JCPOA commitments is fundamentally flawed when divorced from the full context of the US withdrawal. Such a claim ignores Iran's sustained efforts to uphold the deal despite persistent provocations and violations by the US and E3/EU."

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Accusations Against the E3

Iravani pointed to the E3's failure to fulfill key obligations, such as lifting sanctions as required under the JCPOA and UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

He criticized the E3's imposition of new sanctions in 2024 under unrelated pretexts, describing them as a violation of the agreement's objectives.

"The E3's refusal to lift sanctions on Transition Day in October 2023 and their imposition of new sanctions in 2024 under unrelated pretexts constitute another clear violation of their commitments under the JCPOA and UNSCR 2231," he stated.

"Such actions not only breach JCPOA commitments but also undermine the confidence-building efforts essential for meaningful diplomatic progress."

Call for Diplomacy

While rejecting the E3's accusations, Iravani reiterated Iran's commitment to diplomacy and a peaceful resolution to the impasse.

He urged the E3 to abandon their "ineffective and failed policy of pressure and confrontation" and instead engage in meaningful dialogue.

"A sustainable diplomatic solution can only be achieved through mutual respect, strict adherence to international law, and full commitment to the principles of the JCPOA, a framework that has proven effective in managing an unnecessary crisis surrounding Iran's peaceful nuclear program," Iravani stressed.

Iran's Position Moving Forward

The letter concludes with a reaffirmation of Iran's rights under international law and its willingness to explore diplomatic pathways.

However, Iran warned that any further attempts to invoke punitive measures, such as the JCPOA's "snapback" mechanism, would elicit a firm response.

"We urge the E3 to abandon their ineffective and failed policy of pressure and confrontation. Instead, they should embrace diplomacy and focus on rebuilding the trust essential to resolving the current impasse," the letter read.

"A sustainable diplomatic solution can only be achieved through mutual respect, strict adherence to international law, and full commitment to the principles of the JCPOA, a framework that has proven effective in managing an unnecessary crisis surrounding Iran’s peaceful nuclear program."

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