Briefing by EU Ambassador Skoog on behalf of the HR/VP – UN Security Council meeting on Non-Proliferation: JCPOA (Iran)

Thank you, Mr President. Good morning.

1. It is again an honour to have this opportunity to address the Council in this session on behalf of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mr Josep Borrell, in his capacity as Coordinator of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).   

2. I would like to thank the Secretary-General Mr António Guterres and Rosemary DiCarlo and their team in the Secretariat for their dedication and perseverance in their work related to the implementation of resolution of 2231 and in particular the report prepared for today’s discussion. I would also like to express my gratitude to Her Excellency Ms. Geraldine Byrne Nason (Ireland) in her role as the Facilitator of Resolution 2231 and the work to keep members informed of the current state of play.

Mr President,

3. Since the last report on the implementation of Resolution 2231 in December, all JCPOA participants, and the United States, continued their intense negotiations in Vienna to restore the JCPOA. These negotiations had started more than a year ago, in April 2021. They have been challenging not only in terms of defining the steps needed to restore the JCPOA but also in overcoming the trust deficit following the decision of the previous US administration to withdraw from the JCPOA in 2018, to re-impose sanctions, and subsequent Iranian nuclear steps inconsistent with JCPOA commitments.   

4. By March this year, we had produced a text containing difficult hard-won compromises with only very few issues remaining open. The text describes in detail the necessary steps for the US to return to the JCPOA and the resumption of full implementation of all JCPOA commitments by the US and Iran. The negotiations were paused on 11 March due to external factors and to allow for Iran and the US to address last outstanding bilateral issues. To that end, the EU’s efforts to broker an agreement and restore the JCPOA continued.  

5. During the pause, the EU High Representative, as JCPOA Coordinator and facilitator between Iran and the US, continued to be in regular contact with all JCPOA participants and the United States. On 25 June, the EU High Representative visited Tehran, at the invitation of Iran’s Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, in an attempt to break the recent dynamic of escalation and to end the stalemate of the negotiations. Following discussions with relevant counterparts in Tehran, the High Representative announced another effort by the EU to help bridge the remaining gaps between Iran and the United States through proximity talks, before the agreement were to be finalised by all JCPOA participants and the United States.  

6. The EU remains committed to restoring the JCPOA. It is, however, vital that after more than a year of negotiations, and in view of Iran’s worrying nuclear trajectory as well as continued and new US sanctions, we conclude this agreement as soon as possible and proceed with the full implementation of the JCPOA. This is important for Europe, for Iran, the region but also for the world as a whole that – now more than ever - needs more security and stability.  

7. From the Coordinator’s perspective, after more than a year of intense multilateral negotiations, we believe we have a good deal on the table to restore the JCPOA. This is not a bilateral deal between Iran and the United States. Very tough political choices had to be made by all JCPOA participants and the United States to reach the current delicate balance in the text. The deal is now almost finalised. The space for further significant changes has been exhausted. On the EU, we are concerned that we might not make it over the finishing line.  Our message is:  seize this opportunity to conclude the deal, based on the text that is on the table. The time to overcome the last outstanding issues, conclude the deal, and fully restore the JCPOA is now. 

Mr President, 

8. As stated time and time again, the EU remains committed to the full and effective implementation of the JCPOA and we are determined to continue working with the international community for this purpose. We greatly appreciate the efforts by you all and our partners in supporting the restoration of the JCPOA. At the same time, we remain cognisant of the fact that there is an overwhelming sense of urgency to conclude the talks. This is shared by a great part of the international community as it transpired from the recent discussion at the IAEA Board of Governors earlier in June in Vienna.                     

9. Iran’s nuclear developments remain a grave source of concern, particularly as regards its continued accumulation of enriched uranium at 20% and 60%, and the installation of more and more advanced centrifuges. Significant work on uranium metal has been conducted over the past year that has produced knowledge gains that remain of concern. Iran’s nuclear activities are not only inconsistent with the nuclear provisions of the JCPOA, but also raise serious non-proliferation concerns.  

10. We also deeply regret Iran’s recent decision to remove IAEA cameras from key nuclear facilities, in response to a resolution in the IAEA Board of Governors. These cameras are important to ensure continuity of knowledge on Iran’s nuclear programme for when the JCPOA is restored. We reiterate that Iran’s decision to suspend the implementation of the Additional Protocol and JCPOA transparency provisions on 23 February 2021 has substantially decreased the IAEA’s access to relevant information on Iran’s nuclear programme, and that it is important not to take steps, particularly as regards IAEA monitoring, that could jeopardise the restoration of the JCPOA.  

Mr. President,

11. We fully recognise that Iran has faced and continues facing very serious negative economic consequences following the US’ withdrawal from the JCPOA and the re-imposition of previously lifted US unilateral sanctions which we deeply regret. The restoration of the JCPOA is 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.  

12.  It is, therefore, important to show the necessary political will and pragmatism to restore the JCPOA on the basis of the text that’s on the table.  While acknowledging the strong sense of urgency, it is important to avoid escalatory steps and to preserve sufficient space for the diplomatic efforts to succeed. 
13. Let me also recall the importance of the Procurement Channel, which continues to be fully functioning. As highlighted in the report of the Secretary-General, it remains a vital transparency and confidence-building mechanism. It gives assurances to Member States and the private sector that transfers of nuclear and dual-use goods and services are fully in line with Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA.  
14. We furthermore urge all members of this organisation to refrain from actions and statements that increase regional and international tensions that could escalate a military build-up in the region and beyond. The EU has repeatedly urged Iran to desist from activities that could deepen mistrust and which are inconsistent with UNSCR 2231.

15. We remain fully committed to multilateral diplomacy, a diplomacy that has been successful for several decades. It is the only way forward. Let us not forget that the origins of the JCPOA are an exemplary outcome of effective multilateral diplomacy. We have a common interest in making the JCPOA work, in particular in the current international environment. Let us do this together. And let us do it swiftly.

I thank you very much, Mr. President.