Ambassador's Statement at UNSC: JCPOA & Resolution 2231

Iran's Ambassador has delivered a statement before the UN Security Council during a session to discuss the JCPOA and Resolution 2231. The full text of the statement is as follows:

Statement by

H.E. Mr. Amir Saeid Iravani

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

Before the United Nations Security Council

On “Implementation

of Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015)”

New York, 24 June 2025

 

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

 

Thank you, Madam President, for convening this meeting. Today is International Women's Day in Diplomacy. Let me begin by congratulating you and all women diplomats. I also congratulate you on your successful leadership of the Council thus far in June, and I commend your tireless efforts in convening emergency meetings to draw the Security Council’s attention to the aggression by Israel and the United States against my country and their blatant violations. I wish to sincerely thank our brotherly and friendly nation, the state of Qatar, for its sincere and diplomatic efforts to help end Israel’s aggression, establish a ceasefire, and prevent a further escalation of regional tensions that threatened peace and stability in the region. We thank USG, Ms. DiCarlo, for her briefing. We take note of the Secretary-General’s report. We echo ourselves with SG’s call for a diplomatic solution in his report as well as with USG in her today’s briefing. We welcome Slovenia, as Facilitator of the Resolution 2231 (2015), and appreciate Ambassador Žbogar and his team for preparing the report and today's briefing. We take note of the statement made by Ambassador Lambrinidis, Head of Delegation of the European Union, in the capacity of the coordinator of the JCPOA.

Madam President,

First and foremost, I wish to express my strong objection to the participation of the delegation of the Israeli regime in this meeting. Legally and procedurally, Israel has no standing to take part in this meeting. This regime has no connection to the agenda of this meeting, nor to Resolution 2231 or the JCPOA. The participants to the JCPOA, as mentioned in Resolution 2231, are clearly defined, and the Council’s practice in convening meetings under this agenda item has always been limited to the JCPOA participants.

Madam President,

This meeting is the final Security Council briefing on Resolution 2231 before its expiration in October 2025. In this context, I would like to make the following points:

First, the United States’ unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and then its imposition of illegal extraterritorial sanctions violating UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Iran has honored its commitment. In contrast, the United States with the full support of the UK, France and Germany, has repeatedly violated both the spirit and the letter of the JCPOA, as well as resolution 2231. The root causes of the current situation are simple and clear. Therefore, they are not in a position to accuse Iran of non-compliance.

Second, today’s meeting takes place as my country faced an unprovoked military aggression that blatantly violates international law, the UN Charter, the Statute of the IAEA, General Conference Resolutions, and Resolution 2231. This Resolution 2231 calls on all UN Member States to avoid actions that undermine the Resolution and the JCPOA. However, with full U.S. support, Israel has targeted Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, civilians, and civilian infrastructure. Israel falsely justified these attacks on Iran’s peaceful nuclear program as an imminent threat. This claim is baseless and has no legal basis. In reality, Israel — the region’s only undeclared nuclear-armed entity and non-party to NPT — refuses IAEA inspections and monitoring, while Iran complies with the NPT and has subjected its nuclear program to the most rigorous IAEA monitoring. The breach of Resolution 2231 and international law is not limited to Israel. The United States, a permanent Council member responsible for upholding its resolutions, also attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards.

Third, it is profoundly troubling that, even after a decade of Resolution 2231, Iran’s fully monitored peaceful nuclear program has been repeatedly targeted by Israel and the United States. These illegal actions set a dangerous precedent, undermine the non-proliferation regime, and damage the credibility of the Security Council. Resolution 2231 was intended to promote peaceful solutions and strengthen the Council’s role in preventing unnecessary crises. However, reckless attacks on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities by Israel and the U.S. have gravely weakened this role. It is disappointing that this Council failed to condemn these illegal attacks, despite a strong request by Resolution 487, which prohibits such illegal acts. We call on the Council to, at the very least, explicitly condemn these aggressions and ensure they do not happen again.

Fourth, the double standards are blatant: while the U.S., the UK, and France maintain massive nuclear arsenals and overlook Israel’s undeclared stockpile, they baselessly claim Iran’s peaceful program threatens international peace and security. These political accusations have been refuted for years by Iran’s transparency and by its full cooperation with the IAEA. If they truly care about the non-proliferation regime, they must condemn Israel’s violations of international law and Resolution 487.

Fifth, claims that Iran has violated Resolution 2231 are groundless. For the past decade, Iran has upheld Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA. Our remedial measures have been fully consistent with these two instruments, meant only to restore balance and encourage all parties to return to their commitments. Iran’s remedial measures must not be misused to justify new pressure under the JCPOA or Resolution 2231. The Council must prevent any attempt to manipulate these mechanisms against Iran.

Sixth, resolution 2231 must conclude on schedule, and Iran rejects any attempt to revive expired provisions under any pretext. Unfortunately, European JCPOA participants have failed to meet their obligations. Even worse, they falsely assert that Iran is close to acquiring nuclear weapons—a falsehood unsupported by credible evidence. Our peaceful program, under strict IAEA verification, cannot be denied. Despite these aggressions and the unconstructive behavior of the European parties, Iran remains committed to diplomacy and peaceful dispute resolution. Resolution 2231 proves that diplomacy can and must resolve differences.

Seventh, Iran continues to believe a diplomatic resolution to nuclear and sanctions issues is possible. Our commitment is evident through our full implementation of the JCPOA and Resolution 2231. But if the other parties truly want a resolution, they must respect Iran’s rights and stop undermining diplomacy.

Eighth, Iran never initiated this war. Once the aggressors stopped their attacks, Iran stopped its lawful military response as well. Nevertheless, Iran will not overlook the deceit and double standards. Our brave armed forces remain fully prepared to respond to any further threats or violation.

To conclude, Madam President, we are now closer to diplomacy than ever before. The long, large-scale war they thought could force Iran into so-called “unconditional surrender” and make it abandon its peaceful nuclear program — through intimidation, threats, and the use of force — has failed more clearly than ever. They unleashed their full military might, supporting and providing Israel with advanced fighter jets, sophisticated weaponry, and the most powerful bombs — even bunker busters — to attack Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, and cowardly, deliberately, and indiscriminately targeted civilians and critical infrastructure. These attacks led to the martyrdom of hundreds of innocent people — including women, children, nuclear scientists, academics, athletes, students, aid workers, and senior military officials — and left thousands more injured. We honor these martyrs for their sacrifices, as well as all our brave, patriotic people who defend our homeland. Iran emerged proud and steadfast in the face of this criminal aggression. This proves one simple truth more clearly than ever: diplomacy and dialogue are the only path to resolving the unnecessary crisis over Iran’s peaceful program.

I thank you.