The current mandate of the Panel is concurrent with the continuing implementation and extension of the previously agreed Joint Plan of Action, which will end on 30 June 2015, a few days before the end of the Panel’s mandate on 9 July 2015.

The present report is being delivered shortly after the Islamic Republic of Iran and the E3+3 countries,a on 2 April 2015, “reached solutions on key parameters of a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action” and while negotiations are continuing towards final agreement.

The Security Council, in a new resolution, will endorse a final agreement and will have to address existing Security Council sanctions which have been at the centre of recent negotiations. To date, all Security Council sanctions have remained fully in effect. It has been, inter alia, the task of the Panel to remind Member States of the continuing application of Security Council sanctions and their obligations under the resolutions. It is to be noted that, despite the ongoing negotiations and high expectations of a final agreement to be reached, the mandate period has not been marked by a relaxing of United Nations sanctions implementation, nor a wavering of political will by the Member States to act in accordance with Security Council obligations. Such commitment by Member States has exerted a definite influence in reaching the negotiated result.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has complied with its safeguards obligations, implemented its commitments under the Joint Plan of Action, and worked with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Framework for Cooperation matters.

As part of the Joint Plan of Action, concomitant with IAEA confirmation that the Islamic Republic of Iran was fulfilling the “voluntary measures” agreed in this format, some unilateral sanctions have been suspended, providing limited relief to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s economy.

The Panel has not identified cases of procurement for activities prohibited under Security Council resolutions that occurred during the current mandate, nor have any such cases being reported by Member States.

However, the following developments have been noted in other areas covered by the Security Council resolutions, and not addressed in the Joint Plan of Action:

During the current mandate, the Islamic Republic of Iran has not launched or unveiled any new types of medium-range ballistic missiles. However, the Fajr satellite was launched by a Safir space launch vehicle and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s annual Great Prophet military exercise reportedly involved the Fateh 110 ballistic missile.

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s arms transfers have actively continued, as reflected in numerous media reports, raising concerns among some Member States. The Panel notes that no State has formally reported an actual case of non-compliance although one State has informed the Panel of an offer by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Travels to neighbouring countries of a prominent designated Iranian individual, amply covered by the media, have been duly noted by the Panel. Nevertheless, no violation of the travel ban as such has been formally reported to the Committee.

The Panel has observed that the private sector remains in compliance. Although many companies, in the expectation of increased commercial opportunities in the near future, are exploring possibilities, companies have limited themselves to preliminary understandings. This indicates that the private sector remains risk adverse, mindful of obligations and of reputation.

The overall lack of reporting is a distinctive feature of this mandate period. It might be linked, inter alia, to a decrease in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s prohibited activities and restraint on the part of Member States so as not to affect the negotiations process.

Given the ongoing negotiations, the Panel refrains from additional recommendations to those already proposed in the Panel’s previous final reports....