UNITED NATIONS, Dec 18: The United Nations is worried about the continuing impasse among key member states of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo said.
“The Secretary-General is concerned about the ongoing and persistent disagreements among these Member States at such a critical juncture,” DiCarlo said during a meeting on non-proliferation at the UN Security Council.
However, despite the differences, the states have expressed willingness to negotiate, she emphasised, urging them to step up efforts.
Earlier in November, a resolution criticising Iran, proposed by London, Paris, Berlin, and Washington, was adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), disregarding the results of IAEA head Rafel Grossi’s visit to Tehran November 14-15.
In 2015, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Russia, the United States, France, and Iran, as well as the European Union, concluded a nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which offered sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program.
The US, under then-President Donald Trump, withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and reinstated sanctions on Tehran. In response, Iran announced a gradual reduction in its commitments under the deal, abandoning restrictions on nuclear research, centrifuges, and uranium. (UNI)