Iran’s IAEA envoy blasts US violation of JCPOA

Vienna, Nov 23, IRNA - Iran's Ambassador to the IAEA Kazem Gharibabadi said on Friday that the US has not only persistently violated the JCPOA, but also is threatening them by either to comply with its unlawful unilateral policies against my country, or will be faced with its coercive punitive measures. Addressing the IAEA Board of Governors on November 22 on “Verification and Monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in Light of United Nations Security Council resolution 2231 (2015)”, he said that the unlawful actions by the US have rendered many essential provisions of the JCPOA void of any effect and destroyed the delicate balance of commitments between two sides, he said. The irresponsible conduct of the United States necessitates a collective response by the international community in order to uphold the rule of law, to prevent undermining diplomacy and to protect multilateralism, he added. Full text of his statements reads as follows: “In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful Madam Chairperson, Mr. Director General, Excellencies, Dear Colleagues, Thank you for giving me the floor; and, since this is the first time I am taking the floor after your election to preside over the work of the Board, let me congratulate you on this election and assure you of the full cooperation of my delegation during your tenure. Let me also express our delightfulness that the Director General Amano is back to Vienna with a full recovery and we are looking forward to continue our work with him. Since the focus of this Agenda Item is about Iran, please allow me to indulge myself a bit more with respect to the length of my statement. Allow me to begin by expressing my delegation’s appreciation to the Director General and his team in the Secretariat for their efforts with regard to the verification measures related to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is, indeed, heartening to see such an overwhelming support for the continuation of the implementation of the JCPOA by all sides, despite the unilateral withdrawal of a party to the deal, who is despotically and arrogantly exerting pressure on others to follow suit and back down on their commitments under the UNSC Resolution, not to name under the very DEAL; therefore, I would like to seize the opportunity and appreciate them for their invaluable continued support. Madam Chairperson, The recent Director General Report (GOV/2018/47, dated 12 November 2018) on the verification of the implementation of the JCPOA in the Islamic Republic of Iran, reads (and I quote) “Since 16 January 2016 (JCPOA Implementation Day), the Agency has verified and monitored Iran’s implementation of its nuclear-related commitments in accordance with the modalities set out in the JCPOA, consistent with the Agency’s standard safeguards practices, and in an impartial and objective manner.” (Unquote) This is the Thirteenth quarterly report of the Director General since then, which confirms Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal. It also confirms that (and I quote) “the Agency has continued to evaluate Iran’s declarations under the Additional Protocol, and has conducted complementary accesses under the Additional Protocol to all the sites and locations in Iran which it needed to visit” (Unquote). It further reaffirms, time and again, that timely and proactive cooperation by Iran in providing such access, is facilitating implementation of the Additional Protocol and enhances confidence. These are clear indications of utmost transparency in Iran’s nuclear program. Needless to say that, the report of the Director General presented to us in this meeting, and of course other 12 previous meetings, is entitled “Verification and Monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in Light of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015)”. The Security Council in this resolution, that was adopted unanimously, called upon all Member States, regional organizations and international organizations to support the implementation of the JCPOA and to refrain from actions that undermine it. Also, much has been said that the JCPOA is multilateral in terms of participation and bilateral in terms of commitments, and its scope, provisions and timeframes are based on a delicate, negotiated and multilaterally-accepted balance. However, in humiliation to all international community, the United States’ most recent illegal and unilateral acts and sanctions brazenly and boldly disregard the Security Council resolution 2231(2015). The world is witnessing a very unique phenomenon, Madam Chair, the United States not only blatantly defies the Security Council resolution 2231 (2015), but also audaciously and preposterously coerces other States to follow suit. These sanctions as well as their previous reckless acts are specifically designed “to directly and adversely affect economic relations with Iran” by intimidating third parties and pressuring other States to abide by their political aspirations. Those sanctions and pressures are illegal and run counter to the well-established principles as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and as accepted by the community of nations such as the sovereign equality of States, non-intervention and non-interference in internal affairs of Member States and freedom of international trade and navigation. The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the principles of prohibition of threat or use of force in the international relations of States and peaceful settlement of disputes should constitute the cornerstone of the multilateralism. No State or group of States has the authority to deprive other States of their legal rights for political considerations. Madam Chairperson, It should also be recalled that the United States’ unilateral coercive measures are also contrary to the provisional measures that were ordered unanimously by the International Court of Justice, including the judge with American nationality, on 3 October 2018 (S/2018/899). The implementation of recent set of sanctions by the United States on 5 November 2018 would certainly lay in the scope of prohibited acts with an aggravating effect and would be categorized as illegal wrongful acts contrary to the Court’s dictum. It shall be recalled that the United States, as the party imposing unilateral sanctions against Iran, is under a mandatory obligation to refrain from any action that might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court. Feeling free to break its commitments and to disavow its actions while preaching and policing the others, is not unique in the US behavior. Undoubtedly, sanctions always hurt ordinary people, but sanctions seldom change policy, and that has been the problem with US sanctions all the time. They do not take people back to the negotiating table. In fact, they strengthen the resolve of great Iranian Nation to resist. We will not only survive, as we have sustained in the past 7000 years – we will thrive too. Madam Chairperson, The unlawful actions by the US have rendered many essential provisions of the JCPOA void of any effect and destroyed the delicate balance of commitments between two sides. It has not only persistently violated the terms of this agreement, but also, inter alia, by sending delegations to different States and even foreign companies, threat them by either to comply with its unlawful unilateral policies against my country, or will be faced with its coercive punitive measures. The irresponsible conduct of the United States necessitates a collective response by the international community in order to uphold the rule of law, to prevent undermining diplomacy and to protect multilateralism. While Iran appreciates the strong support to the deal expressed by the overwhelming majority of Member States, it should be noted that if JCPOA is to survive, appropriate practical measures should be implemented to ensure that the JCPOA is a win-win solution. That is to say that, Iran acknowledges the EU/EU3 positions on the JCOPA, but firmly believes that the time is of the essence and concrete measures should be done swiftly to ensure the economic benefits of Iran as stipulated in the JCPOA. It should be stressed that in case of any failure to remedy the situation, Iran has its own options under the terms of the JCPOA and will make the appropriate decisions on the basis of its national interests. As President Dr. Rouhani said in this year’s United Nations General Assembly “In our current talks with the remaining JCPOA participants, we have emphasized that safeguarding the long-term interests of the Iranian people is paramount to us. If these interests can still be secured despite the United States’ exit from the accord, we will remain in the deal; otherwise, we will pursue a different course of action. Our logic is simple and straightforward: Either all parties to the deal will benefit, or none will. Silence in the face of open U.S. bullying of other countries to cut economic and trade relations with Iran, in blatant contravention of the established rules of international law, is simply not acceptable, and not an option for us”. To conclude, I would like to reiterate that the nuclear deal is the outcome of years of intensive bilateral and multilateral negotiations overwhelmingly applauded by the international community and endorsed by the Security Council as a part of Resolution 2231. It will be a great shame if the achievement of 12 years of multilateral diplomacy would be shattered by irresponsible behavior and unilateral action of one State. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish