International sanctions on Iran appearing imminent, according to French President Macron, amidst the approaching United Nations vote.
In a tense standoff, the United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a resolution that could potentially lift UN sanctions on Iran, scheduled for this Friday. However, the outcome remains uncertain as Western powers and Iran continue to clash over Iran's nuclear energy program.
The resolution, if passed, would mark a significant step towards easing sanctions on Iran, which have been in place since 2018 following the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). The sanctions, which include a conventional arms embargo, restrictions on ballistic missile development, asset freezes, travel bans, and a ban on producing nuclear-related technology, have been a source of contention between the international community and Iran.
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has presented a plan to the E3/EU counterparts to avoid an unnecessary crisis. However, the details of this plan have not been disclosed, and it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to appease the Western powers.
The E3 European powers - France, Britain, and Germany - have long accused Iran of violating its commitments under the JCPoA. This includes Iran's buildup of a stockpile of enriched uranium that is more than 40 times the level permitted under the deal. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has demanded full cooperation from Iran and immediate inspections of all nuclear sites.
The IAEA's calls for transparency have been echoed by Western powers, with France, Britain, and Germany planning to reimpose international sanctions on Iran by the end of this month. This decision comes after the E3 powers launched a 30-day process late last month to reapply UN sanctions on Iran.
However, Iran has withdrawn a draft UN resolution it had put forward for a vote, along with China, Russia, and other countries, on Thursday. The resolution, which contained a paragraph strongly condemning the 'deliberate and unlawful attacks carried out in June' against Iran's nuclear sites and facilities, was expected to fail to get the minimum nine votes needed to pass.
The attacks in question were reportedly carried out by Israel, which bombed Iran's nuclear facilities in June during an aerial war that lasted 12 days. The attacks have further strained relations between Iran and the Western powers, with Israel and Western powers accusing Tehran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, a claim Iran denies.
The negotiations between the E3 and Iran regarding Iran's nuclear energy program have not been deemed 'serious' by French President Emmanuel Macron. If the resolution were to pass, it would be vetoed by the US, Britain, or France, further complicating the situation.
As the vote approaches, the international community watches with bated breath, hoping for a resolution that will bring peace and stability to the region. The stakes are high, and the outcome remains uncertain.
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