The United Nations Security Council is set to hold a closed-door meeting on the Iranian regime’s uranium stockpile, which has reached levels close to what is needed for nuclear weapons production.
According to Reuters, the meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, has been requested by six of the fifteen Security Council members: the United States, France, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Greece, and Panama.
Diplomats say these countries also want the meeting to address questions raised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding the discovery of uranium particles at undeclared sites in Iran.
European Union: The Iranian Regime Must Not Attain Nuclear Weapons
The Iranian regime has consistently denied allegations of seeking nuclear weapons. However, according to IAEA reports, Iran has enriched uranium up to 60%, which is technically close to the 90% enrichment level required for nuclear weapons production.
The United States and the three European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal (the JCPOA) have warned that such a high level of uranium enrichment is unprecedented for a non-nuclear-armed state and lacks any credible justification.
In July 2015, Tehran and six world powers signed a nuclear agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), under which Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.
However, during his first term as U.S. president, Donald Trump accused the Iranian regime of violating the spirit of the JCPOA and announced in May 2018 that the United States was withdrawing from the agreement. In response, Iran gradually rolled back some of its commitments under the deal.
The United Kingdom, France, and Germany—the three European signatories of the JCPOA—have cited Iran’s non-compliance and its expanding nuclear program as grounds for triggering the so-called “snapback mechanism,” which would reinstate all UN sanctions against Iran.
The United States and these three European countries have reaffirmed their determination to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the JCPOA, has a ten-year duration. After its expiration on October 18, 2025, the snapback mechanism will no longer be available.
Mr. Trump has instructed the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations to work with Washington’s Western allies to activate the snapback mechanism and restore all sanctions against Iran.
In recent days, the U.S. president has once again emphasized his commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, warning that Tehran faces two options: reaching an agreement or facing military action.
However, Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei has rejected the idea of negotiations with the U.S., and the regime’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also stated that Tehran will not negotiate “under pressure.”
At the same time, on Sunday, Araghchi said that Tehran is engaged in discussions with China and Russia, as well as separately with the three European countries, to explore ways to build “trust and transparency” regarding its nuclear program.
Additionally, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson has stated that Tehran may be willing to accept certain limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
