Iran Hits Back at EU, France for Comments on JCPOA

In a meeting of the First Committee of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on October 6, the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran gave a reply to the EU, France and others for their comments on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

What follows is the full text of Iran’s reply:

“In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Mr. Chair,

I would like to exercise my delegation’s right of reply against the unacceptable statements made by the representatives of the European Union, France as well as some others on the JCPOA and Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

Mr. Chair,

These delegations must be reminded that it was the United States, not Iran, that unilaterally and illegally withdrew from the JCPOA, re-imposed sanctions and launched a maximum pressure campaign against Iran. Furthermore, it was the EU, not Iran, that abandoned its obligations under the JCPOA and UNSC Resolution 2231.

Indeed, Iran was fully implementing its obligations confirmed by 15 consecutive reports of the IAEA Director General. Furthermore, only after more than one year of strategic patience in continuing the full implementation of its commitments, Iran started to gradually resort to its only available remedy, i.e. withholding the performance of the reciprocal commitments as a general rule of law and as enshrined explicitly in paragraphs 26 and 36 of the JCPOA.

The JCPOA’s recent talks in Vienna, provide a unique opportunity for the JCPOA’s participants and the US, in particular, to provide their candid intention to return to the full implementation of their commitments through lifting all sanctions in an effective and verifiable manner. It is yet to be observed whether the current US Administration is ready to abandon the maximum pressure policy and using unilateral coercive measures, respecting international law, implementing its sanctions lifting commitments in a full, effective and verifiable manner while also taking all necessary decisions.

The United States needs to address the concerns arising from their previous malpractice, the least of which is that the future performance of their commitments can be relied on.

Iran, on its part, has engaged seriously in negotiations with JCPOA participants to address the issues resulting from the US’ withdrawal. We observed that the said-delegations failed notifying the US responsibility in this regard.

Mr. Chair,

The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a responsible State Party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), is committed to implementing its obligations under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA). In view of this, Iran has spared no effort to enable the Agency to carry out its verification activities based on the CSA in the Country. Iran’s full cooperation with the IAEA has enabled the Agency to continue to maintain its knowledge through a robust verification system that is unique in the Agency’s verification system.

Mr. Chair,

The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the claim by the delegation of Ukraine on the delivery of drones to Russia for use in the Ukraine war as baseless and does not confirm it.

On another note, I should emphasize that France itself has had an unjustifiable role in the Middle East proliferation crisis by assisting, since 1957, the Israeli regime in acquiring nuclear weapons.

Also, we heard, in this Committee, certain unfounded and unwarranted accusations about Iran's position in the region. I should emphasize that our steadfast approach is not to take the precious time of this august body and signify these lies with an answer.

I thank you, Mr. Chair.”