Because of Western allegations that Tehran is supplying Moscow with drones that have been attacking Ukraine, the US and its allies have been at odds with Iran and its partner Russia.
Yielding to Russian Threats
The USA and its allies have struggled with Iran as well as its ally Russia over claims made by the West that Tehran is giving Moscow drones that have been striking Ukraine. The U.N. secretary-general has also been charged by the United States with “yielding to Russian threats.”
Deadlock in Discussions
The United States and Iran both blamed the other for the deadlock in discussions to have the Biden administration re-enter the agreement that former President Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018 during a heated Security Council debate on the resolution supporting the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers.
Iran blames the United States’ unrealistic and uncompromising stance
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, stated that Iran’s negotiating team tried to find a compromise with “maximum flexibility” and even proposed an “innovative solution to the outstanding concerns to break the impasse.” But he asserted that the current deadlock in negotiations over the 2015 accord, known as the JCPOA, was caused by the United States’ “unrealistic and uncompromising stance.” Let’s be clear: using pressure, intimidation, or conflict as a solution will not help the situation and will not succeed, Mr. Iravani stated.
JCPOA Restoration
According to Mr. Iravani, Iran is prepared to pick up the conversation and schedule a ministerial meeting “as soon as feasible to declare the JCPOA restored.” If the United States exhibits actual political will, this is feasible. The ball is now in the United States’ court.
Discussions are still possible
Before Iravani, U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood declared that “the door to discussions remains open” for a mutual return between the United States and Iran to full JCPOA implementation.
Within Reach
A deal that had been accepted by all other parties was “within reach” in September, and “even Iran was willing to say yes, “Until the very last minute, according to Mr. Wood, Iran made fresh demands unrelated to the JCPOA that it was aware could not be granted.
Lack Of Cooperation
The expansion of Iran’s nuclear programme “for no legitimate civilian purpose,” he said, and Iran’s behaviour since September, including its lack of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog “— has strengthened American doubts “about Iran’s desire and potential of negotiating a deal, and clarifies why there have been no engaged negotiations since then,” according to the U.S.
At The Conclusion Of The Council
Mr. Wood requested the floor at the conclusion of the council meeting to dispute Iravani, asserting that it is “a reality “that the absence of a restoration to bilateral compliance with the JCPOA is due to Iran’s extraneous expectations and rejection of all compromise suggestions. “As a result,” Mr. Wood stated unequivocally.”On the contrary, Iran is in control of the situation.”
Britain’s Perspective
Britain’s Barbara Woodward, the U.N. ambassador whose nation is still a signatory to the JCPOA, told the council that Iran’s nuclear development has made “progress on a nuclear deal much more difficult.” She claimed that Iran continues to generate highly enriched uranium, which is unheard of for a country without a nuclear weapons programme.. Iran’s overall stockpile of uranium enrichment exceeds JCPOA restrictions by at least 18 times.
Production of uranium
Barbara Woodward cited an IAEA report that stated Iran planned to add centrifuges to its Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant and increase production of uranium that had been enriched to a 60% level at its Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, which is near the threshold required for nuclear weapons. Iran also took down all IAEA gear used to keep an eye on JCPOA-related activity.
Arguments about the U.S. and Iran
Ms. DiCarlo urged the US to extend waivers on Iranian oil trading and to lift sanctions imposed under the nuclear deal, as well as for Iran to reverse any actions that violate the JCPOA’s terms. Iravani, a representative of Iran, highlighted that all of Iran’s nuclear operations are “peaceful” and stated that Iran is prepared to work with the IAEA to address any unresolved issues regarding nuclear safeguards.
Unfolding of a claim
Iravani emphasised that all limits on the sale of armaments to and from Iran were lifted in October 2020 in response to what he called the “unfounded claim” that Iran supplied drones to Russia in breach of the 2015 resolution. He consequently asserted that Western assertions that Tehran needed prior clearance “had no legal merit.”
Iranian drones in Ukraine
According to Mr. Iravani, the defamation campaign and unfounded accusations “have no purpose other than to divert attention from Western powers’ shipment of vast amounts of highly developed, advanced weaponry to Ukraine in order to perpetuate the conflict.” Additionally, Mr. Iravani claimed that drones used in Ukraine had not been redirected to Russia.
The Iranian Drones and the United States
The U.S. representative, Mr. Wood, informed the council that there is “ample evidence from various public sources,” including a declaration made by Iran’s foreign minister on November 5, to back Ukraine’s claim that Russian drones of Iranian provenance are being used to attack civilian infrastructure. He emphasised that an annex to the 2015 resolution prohibits Iran from transferring these kinds of drones without first receiving permission from the Security Council.
Seemingly surrendering to Russian threats
The U.N. has been mandated for seven years, according to Mr. Wood, to look into allegations of resolution violations. He expressed dismay that the U.N. Secretariat, led by Secretary-General Guterres, has not done so, “seemingly surrendering to Russian threats.” Nebenzia, the representative of Russia, reaffirmed Moscow’s position that the investigations are “an egregious violation” of the resolution and the U.N. Charter and that “the U.N. Secretariat should not bend to pressure from Western countries.”
Wider Context
In response to accusations that the U.N. has not yet opened an investigation into Iranian-made drones in Ukraine, Mr. Guterres stated at a news conference earlier on Monday that “we are continuing to look into all the factors of that issue and in the wider context of everything we are doing in the context of the conflict to determine if and when we should” open an investigation.
