UN Security Council endorses Iran nuclear deal

The majority of Americans support the new agreement between major world powers and Iran regarding its controversial nuclear program.

And he expressed hope that the agreement heralds “a new chapter” in the country’s relations with the Security Council and the six powers that negotiated the deal – the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.

US Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, said the agreement would cut off all pathways for Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, put in place a rigorous inspection regime, cut Iran’s centrifuges by two-thirds and prevent it from producing weapons grade plutonium.

“It guarantees that the global Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue to verify Iran’s compliance with its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA”, the United Nations chief said as he assured full assistance of the world body in giving effect to the resolution.

Alan Dershowitz, who has worked on United Nations resolutions on the Middle East, suggests there may not have been a “meeting of the minds” on the Iran deal at all: “Is it a postponement for an uncertain number of years – 8, 10, 13, 14, 15 – of Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon?”

An IRNA report earlier on Monday quoted Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh as saying the conference will be held in late summer or early autumn and will be aimed at laying the groundwork for businesses in both countries to work together as sanctions are lifted.

At any time, the USA or any of its partners in the deal could bring an allegation of violations of the agreement to a new dispute-resolution mechanism.

The White House has been heavily lobbying Congress, which has 60 days to review the agreement, to vote to approve or disapprove of the deal, or take no action.

The deal must be reviewed by Congress, where lawmakers will have up to 82 days to decide whether to reject it. The council imposed embargoes on the sale to Iran of nuclear-related material as well as on ballistic missiles and conventional arms; asset freezes on companies and institutions involved in the atomic program, and asset freezes and travel bans on individuals linked to Iran’s nuclear development. Thus, by voting down a resolution on continuing lifting the sanctions, the Council would effectively be putting them back in place.

Khoshroo said Iran promises to be “resolute in fulfilling its obligations” and expects all other parties to the agreement to meet their commitments.

If the council fails to vote on a resolution, the sanctions will be automatically reimposed.

The Congress can pass a motion of disapproval, but President Barack Obama can then veto that.