Iran Urges UNSC To Choose Diplomacy over Confrontation

By Staff, Agencies 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene and choose diplomacy over confrontation.

Araghchi said on Thursday that he presented a reasonable and actionable plan to the three European parties involved in the 2015 nuclear agreement to prevent an unnecessary and avoidable crisis.

He made his remarks just before a Security Council meeting intended to discuss the activation of the agreement's so-called snapback mechanism.

The UN Security Council will vote on Friday on whether to reimpose sanctions on Iran over its peaceful nuclear program, the Council's rotating presidency said.

Britain, France and Germany had triggered the vote. The three European countries, signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [JCPA] allege that Iran has broken its promises under that 2015 treaty.

Araghchi expressed frustration that instead of engaging with the substantive elements of the plan, the European troika has been offering a series of excuses, including the outlandish assertion that the Iranian Foreign Ministry does not represent the entire political establishment.

"I am pleased that President Macron has recognized the reasonableness of my proposal. However, he and the international community should be aware that I have the full backing of all bodies within the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the Supreme National Security Council," Araghchi stated.

French President Emmanuel Macron said in an “Israeli” television interview broadcast on Thursday that he expected international sanctions against Iran to be reinstated by the end of the month.

Araghchi pointed out that the troika's diplomatic efforts seem ineffective and emphasized the necessity for the UN Security Council to prioritize diplomacy over confrontation.  

The Iranian foreign minister highlighted that "Iran has already fulfilled its obligations" by signing a new cooperation agreement with the UN nuclear agency and offering a balanced proposal that addresses genuine concerns while being mutually beneficial.

He described Iran's proposal as "creative, fair, and balanced," stating that its implementation could quickly resolve key disagreements and avert a crisis.

Araghchi concluded by saying that there is still "a way forward, but Iran cannot be the only actor shouldering the responsibility for action."

Araghchi said the European push to restore the previously lifted UN Security Council sanctions lacked any “legal or logical basis,” especially given Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA].

He urged the E3 to demonstrate a genuine commitment to diplomacy rather than yielding to actors who disregard international law.

The ‘snapback’ is the 2015 nuclear deal’s dispute resolution mechanism, under which parties who believe Iran has dishonored its commitments can move to restore six previous Iran-related Security Council resolutions adopted between 2006 and 2010.