[...]

At a time the “nuclear deal” with Iran was a significant success in non-proliferation. Five years ago the world community sighed with relief when the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on reconciliation around the Iranian nuclear program (JCPOA) was unanimously adopted through the UNSCR 2231. It was an example of effective solution to a crisis which risked evolving into a “hot” conflict. Progress was achieved when all parties involved demonstrated genuine willingness to hear each other and take into account mutual interests. 

As of today, however, we witness how the US refusal to comply with its international obligations under Chapter VII of the UN Charter as well as inability of European colleagues – no matter how hard they try – to implement their part of the “nuclear deal” leads to the disintegration of this unique achievement in multilateral diplomacy. Iran had no other choice but to react by employing legitimate means provided by the JCPOA. Tehran has suspended the implementation of exclusively voluntary restrictions but has been complying with its legal obligations under the NPT and the IAEA Safeguards Agreement. A meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission is to take place tomorrow in Vienna. It is of course a chance, though not of 100%, to curb the escalation before it is too late.

[...]