A top United Nations official on Tuesday urged global powers and Iran to urgently work towards reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, warning that its success or failure is critical for international stability. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), agreed upon by Iran and six world powers—Britain, Germany, France, the United States, Russia, and China—lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program.
Since the US withdrew from the deal in 2018 during former President Donald Trump’s first term, Iran has gradually reduced its compliance with nuclear-related commitments.
Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN’s political affairs chief, emphasized the importance of diplomacy but stressed that time is running out. “The region cannot afford further instability,” she told the Security Council, urging both the US and the JCPOA signatories to act quickly. She also highlighted that their success or failure would impact the international community.
Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood reiterated that Washington’s position is clear: a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable, and the US is ready to use all national powers to prevent that outcome.
Meanwhile, European diplomats, including representatives from Britain, France, and Germany, have warned that they could trigger a “snap back” of international sanctions on Iran if necessary, in order to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. This option will expire in October 2025, when the U.N. resolution supporting the deal will no longer be in effect.
In response, Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani dismissed the idea of triggering sanctions as unlawful and counterproductive, warning that any such move would provoke a strong response.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently reported that Iran is significantly accelerating its uranium enrichment program, which has raised concerns in the West about the potential for nuclear weapon production. While Iran maintains that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful, the IAEA has expressed doubts about the true nature of the program.
