Briefing on the agenda item “Non-Proliferation,” the United Nations Security Council held a meeting to review the implementation of Resolution 2231 of July 20, 2015, which approved the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

The meeting was requested by Bahrain and the five European members of the Council (E5): Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, and the United Kingdom.

Russia and China argue that Resolution 2231 has not been in force since October 2025, when the resolution’s mandate expired and has not been renewed since, as sanctions were imposed on Iran. Most members argued that the sanctions against Iran remain in effect and warned that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has lost the ability to fully monitor the country’s nuclear program.

According to the UN, the IAEA’s loss of access raises serious concerns about nuclear proliferation, while divisions within the Security Council over sanctions undermine the ability to respond with a unified front.

Most UN Security Council member states maintained in their statements that the diplomatic channel remains open through the memorandum between the United States and Iran. However, Iran must resume inspections, de-escalate tensions, and comply with its obligations; otherwise, pressure and instability will intensify.

Greece reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the global nonproliferation architecture, emphasizing that Iran must commit clearly and unconditionally to an exclusively peaceful nuclear policy.

Permanent Representative Ambassador Baltas stressed that a comprehensive solution resulting from negotiations remains the only path toward a credible, verifiable, and lasting peace—one that would address concerns about nuclear proliferation, prevent further escalation, and contribute to regional stability.

Greece also reaffirmed its full solidarity with Bahrain, Kuwait, and other countries in the region that continue to be the target of attacks, and called for the full and unconditional restoration of the status quo in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Acting Permanent Representative of the United States, Ambassador Tammy Bruce, stated that “Iran’s leaders have a historic opportunity to transform their country.”

Although “the door to diplomacy remains open, and that is the path we prefer,” the U.S. will hold Iran accountable for violations of international peace, Ms. Bruce said. “If you open fire on non-military targets or ships, we will respond,” she said.

“The cause of this crisis is Iran’s behavior,” which continues to violate its commitments under the JCPOA, said France’s Permanent Representative, Jérôme Bonafon.

Noting that Tehran had violated the terms of the memorandum of understanding it signed with the United States, he described the document as “a first positive step,” which provides for a cessation of hostilities, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the start of negotiations that should, within 60 days, lead to an agreement on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

This is an essential prerequisite for the lifting of sanctions, Mr. Bonafon stated, emphasizing that Paris remains committed to ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.

The Deputy Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, briefed the members on the Secretary-General’s recent report on Resolution 2231 (2015), dated June 19, 2026.

According to the report, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had not conducted any on-site verification activities in Iran under the Safeguards Agreement of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the mechanism that previously allowed the Agency to verify and monitor Iran’s compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

“The Agency also reported a significant deterioration in its understanding of the situation following the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026,” it stated.

“We have now lost continuity of knowledge at all of Iran’s declared nuclear facilities, including the production and existing stockpiles of centrifuges and other technical equipment, as well as heavy water and uranium, Ms. DiCarlo emphasized.

Germany’s Permanent Representative, Ricklef Boitin, stated that “a verifiable agreement is essential, one that will address the urgent concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear activities.”

He added that Berlin is prepared to support the lifting of sanctions related to the nuclear program, but only after Iran takes “concrete and verifiable steps” regarding its nuclear program and returns to full compliance with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Iran’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Amir Iravani, in remarks following the meeting, dismissed the Security Council session on “Non-Proliferation” as legally unfounded, arguing that Resolution 2231 expired on October 18, 2025, and that, consequently, all relevant mandates, reporting obligations, and mechanisms had been terminated.

He praised Russia and China for their opposition during the meeting and stated that the three European countries had no right to activate the sanctions restoration mechanism, as they had violated their own commitments under the JCPOA and had supported attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.

He attributed the crisis to the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018, the Europeans’ failure to comply, and U.S.-Israeli attacks, insisting that Iran’s nuclear program remains exclusively peaceful and subject to IAEA safeguards.

He also condemned the new U.S. attacks in July and stressed that Iran would abide by the Islamabad Memorandum only if Washington also fully complies, while noting that responsibility for reopening and clearing the Strait of Hormuz lies exclusively with Iran.