United Nations Security Council endorses reinstatement of sanctions targeting Iran's nuclear program
The United Nations Security Council has approved the reimposition of sanctions against Iran, following a mechanism known as 'snapback.' This decision comes after years of tension between Iran and the international community, particularly Western countries, over Iran's nuclear program.
In 2018, under the first term of Donald Trump, the United States decided to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and reimpose their own sanctions. The JCPOA, concluded in 2015 between the UN Security Council members and the Tehran regime, provided for an encadrement of Iranian nuclear activities in exchange for a lifting of sanctions.
Iran, in response to the reimposition of sanctions, freed itself from certain commitments, notably on uranium enrichment. After negotiations and multiple warnings, the European trio (France, Germany, and the United Kingdom) triggered the 'snapback' at the end of August.
The European trio still has an offer on the table for a negotiated solution by the end of next week. French Ambassador to the UN, Jérôme Bonnafont, commented that every effort was made to find an alternative to the 'snapback.' However, unless otherwise decided by the UN Security Council, the sanctions will be reinstated by September 28.
Iranian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saeed Khatibzadeh, has denounced the European trio's actions as providing another pretext for escalation in international relations. Tehran denies the accusation and defends its right to develop a civil nuclear program.
Western countries still suspect Iran of wanting to acquire nuclear weapons. This suspicion has been a major point of contention between Iran and the international community. Iran's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, who served as Iran's Foreign Minister from 2013 to 2021, made a proposal in September 2020 to the European powers to prevent the re-imposition of UN sanctions on Iran.
The agreement was endorsed by UN Security Council resolution 2231, which expires in mid-October. The reimposition of sanctions could be another pretext for escalation in international relations, as suggested by Bonnafont's comments. Iran is awaiting 'concrete' gestures from the European trio, according to recent statements.
The situation remains complex and tense, with both sides maintaining their positions. The international community will be closely watching the developments in the coming weeks to see if a negotiated solution can be found.
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