US urged to get Iran deal ‘back on track’

Full compliance of Washington and Teheran required, Chinese envoy says

A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Wednesday urged the United States and Iran to return to full compliance with the Iranian nuclear deal in order to get the process “back on track”.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, is a diplomatic outcome achieved through the “hard work” of all parties that engaged in consultations and negotiations, Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, told ambassadors at a Security Council open debate on the Iranian nuclear issue.

The envoy said that the US, disregarding the opposition of the international community, “obstinately” made a unilateral withdrawal from the agreement and has continued to apply maximum pressure on Iran.

“This is the root of the current dilemma of the Iranian nuclear issue,” he said. It is incumbent upon the US, the originator of the current dilemma, to take the lead in returning to the agreement with no preconditions, Geng said.

The deal struck in 2015 was aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program in return for relief from sanctions. The US pulled out of the deal in 2018.

Geng said that Iran should subsequently also return to full compliance. That would help achieve deescalation in the region, he said.

“We hope that all parties will have a greater sense of urgency, make the political decision as soon as possible, demonstrate flexibility, and commit themselves to working toward the same goal,” Geng said.

He noted that the parties concerned have actively implemented the consensus reached at a meeting of foreign ministers in December, and important progress has been made during negotiations between the signatories to the pact in Vienna, Austria. Though there are still “many miles to go” before a consensus can be reached.

All parties also need to exercise restraint, refrain from making any moves that may further complicate the situation and strive to reach a consensus on the return to compliance at an early date, Geng said.

The envoy pointed out that the US has repeatedly indicated its willingness to return to the deal.

“It has declared that multilateralism is back. Well, in this case, the US should make greater efforts and demonstrate greater sincerity toward arriving at a consensus as soon as possible,” Geng said.

“Whether the US can reach an agreement with Iran and other relevant parties on the resumption of compliance will be the ultimate litmus test to show whether the US really practices multilateralism.”

‘Serious trust deficit’

The withdrawal by the US from the JCPOA has led to a “serious trust deficit” between the US and Iran. That significantly hinders the resumption of compliance negotiations between the two sides, the envoy stressed.

Concerned that the US may once again walk away from the agreement, Iran has asked the current US administration to provide a guarantee that it will not repeat the unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA, he said.

“This request is completely understandable and should be responded to. It is our hope that all parties will adopt a positive posture and show political wisdom in finding a solution,” Geng said.

More broadly, he pointed out that Iran is entitled to the peaceful use of outer space.

“Parties have different understandings vis-a-vis the nature of Iran’s missile program and space program,” he said. “If deemed necessary, the parties may set up a new platform, or use other suitable fora to discuss this matter, so as to avoid getting tangled up on this in the resumption of compliance negotiations, as this would bring complications and impediments to the negotiation process.”

He said that “unilateral sanctions undermine mutually beneficial cooperation among countries”.

Geng added: “Such measures go against international equity and justice, blatantly trample on international law, and seriously damage international relations.”

The envoy said that “China categorically rejects all illegal unilateral sanctions” imposed by the US.