Russia Condemns Military Threats Against Iran’s Nuclear Sites
Russia has condemned threats of military action against Iran’s nuclear sites, warning of severe consequences and calling for diplomatic dialogue to resolve tensions. Mikhail Ulyanov highlighted Iran’s compliance with the IAEA and criticized unilateral U.S. sanctions post-JCPOA departure. He urged Western nations to pursue diplomatic solutions rather than military escalation, emphasizing Iran’s willingness to comply with the JCPOA if reciprocal actions are taken by the West.
Russia has strongly denounced threats of military action against Iran’s nuclear sites, warning of dire consequences. Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, emphasized this stance during an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting, stating, “Endless claims against Iran are unacceptable,” and stressing the potential for a military-political escalation due to such threats from the United States and its allies.
Ulyanov highlighted that Iran is the most scrutinized member of the IAEA, differentiating it from non-nuclear states that criticize it, some of which are considering their own military nuclear programs. He noted that the IAEA’s ongoing verification activities, costing over 10 million euros annually for Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) verifications, reflect the situation’s complexity.
Elbridge Colby, nominated for a U.S. defense policy role, discussed the need for credible military options to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions, yet Iran’s nuclear program is rooted in a fatwa from Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei banning nuclear weapons. Additionally, Israel has conducted military strikes against Iranian sites, including a nuclear research facility, although Iran claims to have mitigated any resulting damage.
Ulyanov urged all parties to adopt a constructive approach as the JCPOA’s completion date approaches, stating, “The diplomatic resource remains, but political will is needed to use it.” He lamented the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018, which reinstated and expanded previous sanctions against Iran despite promises from European allies.
The European trio, the UK, France, and Germany, has threatened to activate the “snapback” mechanism to reinstate UN sanctions against Iran. Ulyanov reminded them that their earlier violations had forfeited their rights under the deal, citing legal precedents that reject similar claims from the U.S. on sanctions.
He referenced Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA until February 2021 and criticized the West for its refusal to negotiate in good faith. Ulyanov stated that Iran is willing to return to full compliance if reciprocal measures are taken by the U.S. and its European allies, highlighting that the current Western approach is opportunistic rather than substantive in seeking resolution.
In summary, Russia has condemned military threats against Iran’s nuclear facilities, reaffirming support for diplomatic engagement to resolve tensions surrounding the nuclear deal. Ulyanov’s statements reflect a commitment to maintain dialogue while criticizing the past actions of Western nations. The emphasis remains on a collaborative approach to compliance with the JCPOA and caution against escalation that could lead to military conflicts.
Original Source: www.presstv.ir
