Statement by UK, France and Germany ahead of the Security Council
meeting on the implementation of resolution 2231.
The Security Council remains seized of the threat to
international security from Iran’s continued nuclear escalation.
Iran’s nuclear programme is now more advanced than at any point
in the past.
Iran has been taking unprecedented steps to accelerate the pace
of its nuclear programme in the past three years and continues to
escalate unabatedly. Some of the most serious steps have been
taken during the negotiation process aimed at returning Iran to
full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
(JCPoA) and the U.S. to the deal.
Intensive diplomatic efforts to restore the JCPoA have resulted
in a viable deal being on the table since early March. We regret
that up until now Iran has refused to seize this diplomatic
opportunity and continued its nuclear escalation
Recently, Iran announced the installation and use of additional
powerful advanced centrifuges and the removal of the
International Atomic Energy Agency’s JCPoA-related surveillance
and monitoring equipment. This occurs in the deeply concerning
context of Iran continuing to increase its stockpiles of uranium
enriched at 20% and 60% to unprecedented levels. The IAEA
received its mandate to verify and monitor JCPoA implementation
directly from the UN Security Council. Iran’s complete
termination of key JCPoA-related transparency measures is
therefore a particularly negative, counterproductive and
provocative step, which this Council cannot remain silent on.
Iran’s actions raise further obstacles for Iran to return to full
implementation of its nuclear-related commitments under the
JCPoA, and to restore the Agency’s ability to provide assurance
of the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iran’s actions are rapidly unsettling the balance of the package
we had negotiated over many months to restore the JCPoA and
closing the window for an immediate diplomatic solution. The
impact on international security and the international
non-proliferation regime of such an outcome would be grave and
long lasting.
We call upon Iran to stop and reverse its nuclear escalation,
return to full cooperation with the IAEA and seize without
further delay the offer on the table, which would benefit the
Iranian people and nation.
We express full support for the efforts of the JCPoA Coordinator
to restore the JCPoA. Iran should take this opportunity to
conclude the deal, while it is still possible. Unfortunately, it
is our understanding that at the meeting which ended yesterday in
Doha, Iran once again refused to seize the opportunity and,
instead, made new extraneous and unrealistic demands.
Today, the Security Council also will discuss key developments of
Iran’s missile programme, which are inconsistent with UN Security
Council resolution 2231. The Council will call upon Iran not to
undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to
be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches
using such ballistic missile technology. Only a few days ago,
Iran conducted another test of a space launch vehicle, which
contains dual use technology that can be used to construct
long-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles. We urge Iran
to refrain from such provocative actions. We strongly condemn
Iran’s continued destabilising activity in the region and we call
upon Iran to stop all ballistic missile activities and
proliferation inconsistent with UNSCR 2231 and other UNSC
resolutions.
We also fully support the efforts of the Secretary General to
examine and report any evidence of transfers of items, materials,
equipment, goods and technology or related services inconsistent
with UNSCR 2231.
