French Amb Nicolas de Rivière at UNSC; December 14, 2021

Statement of Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière Security Council meeting on the implementation of resolution 2231 Since 2015, France and its E3 partners have demonstrated a constant commitment to the full implementation of the Joint Global Action Plan (JCPoA) and resolution 2231: - by lifting the European sanctions in accordance with the planned timetable and by facilitating the access of our companies to the Iranian market first, - by clearly opposing the withdrawal of the agreement by the previous American administration then, - by finally alerting on the progress of the program nuclear power beyond the limits provided for in the agreement. Together with all the participants in the JCPoA, last spring, during six negotiation sessions, we made significant progress towards the return of all parties to the agreement. These discussions were interrupted on June 20 at the request of Iran, the day after its presidential elections. Iran has since delayed on several occasions, and for five months, the return to the negotiating table. We placed real hope in the resumption of negotiations on the JCPoA in Vienna on November 29. However, today, two weeks after the resumption of the discussions which we have engaged in earnestly and constructively, it is clear that the survival of the Iranian nuclear agreement is more threatened than ever. It is not possible for the Security Council to ignore the gravity of the situation. Mister President, We are both disappointed and concerned with the positioning of the new Iranian negotiating team. Iran has made maximalist demands, many of them going beyond even the JCPoA, while reversing compromises that had been reached after long weeks of difficult talks. Despite Iran's change of tone in recent days, we are far from any progress in the discussion on the nuclear side. Discussions are not going in the right direction and are not progressing fast enough. But time is running out. We are approaching the point where the Iranian nuclear escalation will have emptied the JCPoA of its substance. Because, for two years and until today, including during the discussions in Vienna, Tehran has continued and accelerated the development of its most problematic nuclear activities, without any credible civil justification, in particular the accelerated accumulation of enriched uranium. up to 20% and up to 60%, as well as activities relating to the production of uranium metal - activities which allow the acquisition of key know-how for the manufacture of a nuclear device. As a result, Iran's nuclear program has never been as advanced as it is today. These developments are all the more alarming given that, at the same time, there is a serious lack of cooperation between Iran and the IAEA. We know all the details of these breaches from the IAEA reports and we renew our unwavering support for the work of the Agency. It indicates today that it risks being unable to maintain the continuity of its knowledge on the Iranian nuclear program, whereas this constitutes an essential element to ensure the return to the respect of the JCPoA and its verification. This is especially true of the advanced centrifuge production activities at the Karaj site. We call on Iran to resume full cooperation with the Agency. In this context, France is concerned about the continuation by Iran of activities and ballistic transfers, which have a destabilizing effect in the region. Iran cannot ignore the fact that its obligations under Resolution 2231 require it not to carry out any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to carry nuclear weapons, including fire using ballistic missile technology. Mister President, We are at a crossroads. Iran has two paths in front of it: either it continues its nuclear escalation in the coming weeks, which will lead to the collapse of the JCPoA and the outbreak of a serious crisis, or Iran chooses urgently. the path to a global and equitable agreement for the benefit of its people. It is in this second path that the interest of all is found. The diplomatic channel remains firmly open to Iran to strike a deal, but given the developments in its nuclear program, this is our last chance to re-establish the JCPoA. It is a matter of weeks, not months. France therefore reaffirms its determination to continue in Vienna, over the next few days and with all of its partners in the E3 / EU + 3 group, active discussions for a rapid return to the JCPoA. She calls on Iran to negotiate in good faith and to show the same determination to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

الفئة