Washington cannot impose UN sanctions on Tehran, says European Union

Brussels,(ST)  – The European Union emphasized that the United States could not initiate a process of re-imposing UN sanctions against Iran within the framework of the JCPOA because it is no longer a party to this plan.

In a statement issued by its High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Joseph Borrell and Secretary General for Foreign Policy, Helga Maria Schmid, the EU referred to the importance of preserving the JCPOA agreement with Iran, considering it an essential element in the global structure for non-proliferation. As approved by UN Security Council Resolution 2231 of 2015.

The statement added, “in light of the recent discussions in the United Nations Security Council in New York on the issue of the attempt to re-impose the previously lifted UN sanctions, the participants reaffirmed that the United States unilaterally announced the suspension of its participation in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on May 8, 2018, and thus it cannot be considered a country participating in the plan and its consequences, nor can it initiate a process of re-imposing United Nations sanctions under UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

The statement welcomed the statements issued by Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency on August 26, stressing the important role of the agency as “the only independent international organization” responsible for supervising and verifying nuclear non-armament obligations.

Earlier, a meeting of the Joint Committee on the Nuclear Agreement was held in Vienna, where the participants unanimously agreed on the importance of preserving the agreement and abiding by its provisions.

Raghda Sawas