Iran: No Punitive Mechanism in New UNSC Resolution
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran's foreign minister said the resolution the United Nations Security Council passed on Monday to endorse contents of a final nuclear deal between Iran and world powers entails no punitive actions, meaning that the UN sanctions on Iran will not be reinstated.
Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday submitted the finalized text of a lasting nuclear deal between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) to the parliament.
It came one day after the 15-member United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Answering the lawmakers' questions about the resolution and a final nuclear deal, Zarif made it clear that the new UNSC resolution does not include any punitive mechanisms.
He underlined that a breach of the UNSC resolution will not translate into violation of the JCPOA.
Asked about a provision in the UNSC Resolution 2231 on Iran's missile program, Zarif assured the lawmakers that the issue is by nature outside the purview of the Security Council.
The resolutions has called on Iran not to work on ballistic missiles "designed to carry nuclear warheads", Zarif underlined, adding that the Iranian team of negotiators had pushed hard to have the resolution include the term "designed to carry nuclear warheads".
The top Iranian diplomat noted that "none of our missiles are designed to be capable of carrying a nuclear weapon."
Moreover, he added, that clause in the resolution is non-binding.
Following the Monday resolution, Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a statement, stressing that the country will continue to do anything to safeguard its independence and sovereignty.
The 11th clause of the Foreign Ministry statement says, "The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to actively contribute to promotion of peace and stability in the region in the face of increasing threat of terrorism and violent extremism. Iran will continue its leading role in fighting this menace and stands ready to cooperate fully with its neighbors and the international community in dealing with this common global threat. Moreover, the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to take necessary measures to strengthen its defense capabilities in order to protect its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity against any aggression and to counter the menace of terrorism in the region. In this context, Iranian military capabilities, including ballistic missiles, are exclusively for legitimate defense. They have not been designed for WMD capability, and are thus outside the purview or competence of the Security Council resolution and its annexes."