E3 allies urge dialogue over Iran's non-compliance

A senior French Ambassador told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that the E3 group should address issues arising from  Iranian non-compliance with commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action through "continued dialogue between all remaining JCPOA participants."

Anne Gueguen was addressing council members on Tuesday at a virtual meeting in New York.

She said continuing dialogue with Iran should be held under established dispute resolution mechanisms.

The E3 countries comprising Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have made clear that the United States is no longer a participant of the JCPOA, known as the Iran Nuclear Deal.

US Ambassador Kelly Craft told the Council that "the Trump administration has no fear in standing in limited company on this matter, in light of the unmistakable truth guiding our actions.

"I only regret that other members of this Council have lost their way and now find themselves standing in the company of terrorists," Craft said.

Germany's Ambassador Gunter Sautter said, "the United States is no longer a JCPOA participant, and therefore the United States cannot activate the snapback mechanism."

UK Ambassador James Roscoe echoed his German counterpart's position, but added, "we share the United States concern about the expiry of the arms restrictions on Iran in October this year.

Roscoe added "the expiry of the restriction could have serious implications for regional security given Iran's continued destabilizing activities."

Security Council resolution 2231, adopted in 2015 endorsed the JCPOA and established a snapback mechanism to reimpose sanctions on Iran if it breached the agreement.

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