UNITED NATIONS: The United States was alone at the United Nations Security Council this week in blasting the Iran nuclear deal as the UN and the European Union praised the agreement for preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

They expressed disappointment over the US decision to disavow the deal just one month after all of its sanctions were reimposed.

It was evident at the UN Security Council that there is “staunch support” among member states for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

It is tempered by concerns over some of its other activities, which Iran “should carefully consider and address”, according to the latest report on the deal from the UN secretary general.

That was one of the key messages delivered to the Security Council on Wednesday by Rosemary Di-Carlo, Undersecretary General for Political Affairs.

She stressed that UN chief Antonio Guterres continued to view the JCPOA as a “demonstration of successful multilateralism and a major achievement in nuclear non- proliferation, dialogue and diplomacy”.

Ms Di Carlo reminded the council that last month the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had reported that Iran continued to abide by its commitments on ballistic missile tests carried out since January this year.

Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, claimed that the “Iranian regime’s ballistic missile activity has grown since the nuclear deal”, adding that “Iran has exploited the goodwill of nations and defied multiple Security Council resolutions in its quest for a robust ballistic missile force”.

In reply, Mr Eshagh al Habib, the acting charge d’ affaires of Iran, described the US withdrawal from the plan, and the subsequent reimposition of sanctions, as an “unlawful conduct” and a “clear violation” of the resolution endorsing the plan.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2018