I. Introduction

1. On 14 July 2015, China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and the European Union with the Islamic Republic of Iran concluded the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Subsequently, on 20 July 2015, the Security Council adopted resolution 2231 (2015), in which the Council endorsed the Plan and called upon all Member States, regional organizations and international organizations to support its implementation. Despite difficulties encountered in the implementation of the Plan in recent years, I have always believed that it represents the best option available to realize the goals of non-proliferation, multilateral diplomacy and regional security in a manner that delivers tangible economic benefits for the Iranian people.

2. I am encouraged by the diplomatic engagements in and around the Joint Commission, which took place between April and June 2021, to facilitate the return of the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to full and effective implementation of the Plan and the resolution. Those efforts did not result in the return of the United States to the Plan or to the reversal of steps taken by the Islamic Republic of Iran to reduce implementation of nuclear-related commitments under the Plan. It is my hope that the resumption of diplomatic efforts, which recommenced on 29 November 2021, will usher in renewed and effective cooperation among all participants in the Plan. The swift and successful conclusion of those diplomatic engagements should allow all parties to address their concerns and achieve their stated objectives, as expressed most recently in the letter dated 20 July 2021 from the Islamic Republic of Iran to me (A/75/968-S/2021/669) and the joint statement issued by France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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