UN calls on US to lift Iran sanctions, extend waivers on oil trade
The UN urges the US to prolong the waivers for the oil trade with Iran and to lift or waive its sanctions against Tehran.
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United Nations Security Council.
The United Nations has called on the United States to lift or waive its sanctions against Iran as per the 2015 nuclear agreement, and to extend the waivers regarding the trade in oil with the country.
The UN's political chief, Rosemary DiCarlo, made the remarks during an address to a Security Council meeting on non-proliferation (implementation of resolution 2231), which supports the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Restoring the JCPOA is essential, according to her, to reassure the world of the peaceful character of Iran's nuclear program and to enable the nation to realize its full economic potential.
“The agreement on the plan and its endorsement by the [Security] Council demonstrated a unity of purpose among its participants. Both the plan and the resolution support our common objectives of nuclear non-proliferation and regional security, in a manner that delivers tangible economic benefits for the Iranian people,” she added.
She regrets that no agreement has been reached on reviving the JCPOA despite the “tireless efforts” of JCPOA participants since April 2021 to resolve the remaining differences.
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"We encourage all parties and the United States to resume their efforts to resolve the outstanding issues lest the gains by the plan after years of painstaking efforts be completely lost," the UN official said, emphasizing that dialogue and cooperation are essential for achieving lasting peace and security for all member states.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported on Iran's intention to install new centrifuges at the Natanz nuclear facility and to generate more 60%-enriched uranium at the nuclear site, the top UN official said, pointing to the "shrinking" space for diplomacy.
Iran in November started enriching uranium to the purity level of 60% at its Fordow nuclear facility after it officially informed the IAEA of its decision.
Tehran claimed the action was a rebuke to the IAEA Board of Governors' most recent anti-Iran decision, which condemned the nation for what it called a lack of cooperation with the organization. The United States, Britain, France, and Germany introduced the resolution as part of their ongoing political pressure campaign against Iran. China and Russia abstained from voting.
‘UN examining information on claims about Iran drone exports’
Dicarlo additionally stated that letters regarding the alleged transfers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Iran to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine had been sent to the UN by Ukraine, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The five nations requested that an inspection take place.
“The [UN] Secretariat is examining the available information, and any findings will be reported to the [Security] Council, as appropriate, in due course,” she said.
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The permanent representative of Iran denied claims that the country had supplied UAVs for Russian use in the war in Ukraine, while Moscow has also expressed its serious concerns regarding the requests of these member states.
Both Iran and Russia have repeatedly denied claims that Tehran has provided Moscow with drones to be used in the Ukraine war.
JCPOA restoration ‘only way’ for Iran to reap full benefits: EU
The European Union continues to recognize that Iran has experienced and is still experiencing "very serious negative economic consequences" as a result of Washington's decision to unilaterally withdraw from the JCPOA and re-impose previously lifted US unilateral sanctions, according to Silvio Gonzato, Deputy Head of the European Union delegation to the UN. He also expressed his deep regret in this regard.
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Speaking on behalf of the EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, he added that the US has imposed additional nuclear-related sanctions against Iran, including in the area of oil and petrochemicals since June.
“The restoration of the JCPOA remains the only way for Iran to reap the full benefits of the JCPOA and reach its full economic potential as it will result in a comprehensive sanctions’ lifting that will encourage greater cooperation by the entire international community with Iran,” Gonzato added.
