UN Urges Urgent Action to Restore 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal Amid Growing Tensions

A top UN official has urged world powers and Iran to urgently work to restore the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which lifted sanctions on Tehran in exchange for limits on its nuclear program. The call was made during a session of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, as concerns grow over the escalating situation surrounding Iran's nuclear activities.

Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, stressed that the success or failure of restoring the deal is crucial not just for the countries involved but for global stability. “Time is of the essence,” DiCarlo said, highlighting the pressing need to address regional tensions and prevent further instability.

The JCPOA, which involved Britain, Germany, France, the United States, Russia, and China, was a landmark agreement designed to limit Iran’s nuclear program. However, the United States withdrew from the agreement in 2018 under President Donald Trump, leading Iran to gradually move away from its nuclear commitments.

The urgency of diplomacy has been emphasized by both the US and European powers. US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood reaffirmed that while diplomacy remains the preferred option, the United States will not tolerate a nuclear-capable Iran. “We are prepared to use all elements of national power to ensure that outcome,” Wood said.

Britain, France, and Germany have indicated that they are ready to trigger a "snap back" of international sanctions if necessary, to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. However, this option will no longer be available after October 18 next year, when the 2015 UN resolution on the deal expires.

Iran, on the other hand, has expressed opposition to such sanctions, with Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani calling them "unlawful" and "counterproductive." He warned that any attempt to invoke the snap-back sanctions would lead to a firm response from Tehran.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed serious concerns over Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program. The IAEA reported that Iran has dramatically accelerated uranium enrichment, reaching levels close to weapons-grade purity. While Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, Western powers argue that there is no civilian need for uranium enrichment at such high levels.