Russian Mission in Vienna Urges US Return to JCPOA on Iran's Nuclear Program

24 November 2023

Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov urged the United States and the Eurotroika countries (France, Germany, Britain) to rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program. Instead of impeding Tehran's collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ulyanov emphasized the importance of returning to the JCPOA. This statement was made during a session of the agency's Board of Governors.

 

"We encourage the US and the European troika to redirect their efforts from attempting to disrupt or impede the interaction between Iran and the IAEA. Instead, focus on revitalizing the JCPOA, as this would create favorable conditions for reciprocal measures by Tehran," quoted Ulyanov via the Telegram channel of the Russian diplomatic mission.

 

In 2015, the JCPOA was signed by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany, aiming to resolve the crisis surrounding Iran's nuclear activities. The agreement outlined a phased removal of sanctions in exchange for Iran's commitment to limit its nuclear program. However, in 2018, then-US President Donald Trump chose to withdraw from the deal. The current US President, Joe Biden, has expressed a willingness to rejoin the JCPOA.

 

Since April 2021, Russia, Britain, China, France, Germany, and the US, along with Iran, have been engaged in negotiations in Vienna to restore the JCPOA to its original terms. On November 10, 2022, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi announced that another round of talks with representatives of Iran concluded in Vienna without reaching any resolution.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry

Based on materials from TASS