UN Chief "deeply concerned" by US decision to exit Iran-nuclear-deal
What's the story
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he is "deeply concerned" over US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, calling on all other nations to support the agreement and preserve the deal. Trump made the announcement at the White House yesterday and signed a memorandum to begin reinstating economic sanctions on Iran at "the highest level".
Peace and security
JCPOA represents a major achievement in nuclear non-proliferation
"I have consistently reiterated that Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) represents a major achievement in nuclear non-proliferation and diplomacy and has contributed to peace and security," Guterres said. JCPOA reached by Iran, China, France, Germany, Russia, UK, US, and European Union sets out rigorous mechanisms for monitoring restrictions placed on Iran's nuclear program, paving the way for lifting UN sanctions against the country.
Resolving issues
Issues not related to JCPOA should be addressed separately: Guterres
"It's essential that all concerns regarding the implementation of Plan be addressed through mechanisms established in JCPOA," Guterres said, adding that "issues not directly related to JCPOA" should be addressed separately, "without prejudice to preserving the agreement and its accomplishments." The UN chief called on other JCPOA participants to abide by their respective commitments and on all other member states to support the agreement.
Information
No credible information on nuclear explosives development in Iran
Earlier this month, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a statement saying that according to its December 2015 Board of Governors report, "The agency had no credible indication of activities in Iran relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device after 2009."
Abiding by deal
Iran allowed IAEA inspectors to visit all sites and locations
At the Board of Governors meeting in March, IAEA chief Yukiya Amano had said that Iran was abiding by the deal and IAEA inspectors had been given access to all sites and locations, upon request. "If the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) were to fail, it would be a great loss for nuclear verification and for multilateralism," he said.
Nations regretting
France, Germany and UK expressed regret over Trump's decision
The leaders of France, Germany, and the UK have expressed regret and concern over Trump's decision to withdraw the US from JCPOA. A joint statement from UK PM Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized their "continuing commitment" to JCPOA. They urged US to "avoid" taking action which "obstructs" its full implementation by all other parties to the deal.
Sanctions relief
Iran should continue to receive sanctions relief
"Iran must continue to meet its own obligations under the deal, cooperating fully and in a timely-manner with IAEA inspection requirements," the joint statement said. "IAEA must be able to continue to carry out its long-term verification and monitoring-program without restriction or hindrance. Iran should continue to receive the sanctions relief it is entitled to whilst it remains in compliance with deal," it added.
Quote
Will ensure JCPOA agreement is upheld, say UK, France, Germany
"The world is a safer place as a result (of JCPOA). Therefore we, the E3, will remain parties to the JCPOA and will work with all other parties to ensure the agreement is upheld," the UK-France-Germany joint statement said.