Iran: Statement by the High Representative on the reintroduction of nuclear sanctions and restrictions

Today, the UN Security Council has re-imposed all nuclear-related UN sanctions and restrictions against Iran that had been terminated under the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). This follows the invoking of the snap back mechanism by France, Germany and the UK (E3) who notified the UNSC on 28 August of Iran's significant non-compliance of its commitments under the JCPoA. As Coordinator of the JCPoA Joint Commission, I have, together with the E3 and many international partners, had intensive diplomatic efforts with Iran ahead and during the 30-day timeframe foreseen in the snap back process which unfortunately did not result in creating the conditions for a possible extension of the UNSCR 2231.

Consequently, the European Union will now proceed to implement the re-imposition of all previously lifted UN and EU nuclear-related sanctions without delay.

For the past 10 years, the JCPoA and UNSCR 2231 had established a framework that not only aimed to ensure that the Iranian programme remained exclusively peaceful but also put in place an effective monitoring and verification system implemented by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The snap back of sanctions and nuclear restrictions must not be the end of diplomacy with Iran on the nuclear issue, which remains a key challenge to regional and international security. It is the position of the European Union that a sustainable solution to the Iranian nuclear issue can only be achieved through negotiation and diplomacy. In line with the UNSC Resolutions that have been brought back into force today, I will remain engaged with all relevant parties, including Iran, in support of political and diplomatic efforts to find a negotiated solution. In this context, I urge Iran to fully resume cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency without delay, in line with its legal obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and its binding Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.