Restoring the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program in its original form is in the interest of the entire international community, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's Permanent Representative to international organizations in Vienna, said on Tuesday, speaking at a meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"The restoration of the JCPOA corresponds to the interests of the entire international community. After all, it will bring Iran's nuclear efforts, including the level of uranium enrichment, its stockpiles, the number of centrifuges, in line with the parameters of the 'nuclear deal' and return tight control by the agency," said Ulyanov, whose statement was released by the Russian permanent mission. He specified that in this context, the prompt resumption of application by Iran of the additional protocol to the IAEA safeguards agreement would be important.
According to Ulyanov, Iran's nuclear program is developing ahead of schedule, the IAEA verification capabilities are significantly limited, and the Middle East has not become safer. "In the event that the nuclear deal does not work out, all this will continue and worsen. However, so far the IAEA has been able to provide an acceptable level of transparency about Iran's nuclear program under the current Iranian law on strategic measures. As far as we may judge, Tehran is cooperating and is not putting obstacles to inspectors, in spite of some working moments," Ulyanov said.
The Russian Permanent Representative emphasized that the nuclear deal is an effective mechanism ensuring the exclusively peaceful nature of Iranian nuclear activities, creating conditions for the establishment of trade and economic cooperation with Iran and contributing to the strengthening of security in the Middle East and in the whole world. "Members of the Board of Governors and all sensible countries that are seriously concerned about the fate of the nuclear nonproliferation regime and international security should support the talks in Vienna on the JCPOA," urged Ulyanov, who leads the Russian delegation to the in-person talks on the restoration of the JCPOA.
In-person talks in Vienna
In-person talks between Iran and the international "five" (Russia, Britain, Germany, China and France) to restore the Iranian nuclear agreement to its original form have been taking place in Vienna since April. Experts in three working groups are working on the text of an agreement to resume the JCPOA: the removal of US sanctions on Iran (and further US return to the deal) and the implementation of Iran's nuclear obligations, from which it significantly deviates. Representatives of the JCPOA states are also holding separate consultations with the US delegation, which withdrew from the agreement in 2018 but now wants to return to it. There have been no direct talks between US emissaries and Iranian representatives in Vienna so far.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: AP / TASS
Based on materials from TASS