The U.N. Security Council is set to endorse the landmark nuclear deal
between Iran and six world powers and adopt a series of measures leading to the
end of U.N. sanctions that have hurt the Iranian economy.
But the measure to be voted on Monday also provides a mechanism for U.N.
sanctions to “snap back” in place if Iran fails to meet its obligations.
The U.S.-drafted resolution is certain to be adopted, in all likelihood
unanimously, because it has been approved by the five veto-wielding council
members, who along with Germany negotiated the deal with Iran to rein in
itsnuclear program. The 10 non-permanent council members were briefed on
the draft and none objected to the text.
Diplomats said the vote is scheduled for 9 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT0, earlier
than usual because European Union foreign ministers wanted the resolution
adopted before their discussion on the Iran deal on Monday afternoon
inBrussels.
Under the agreement, which the council will endorse, Iran’s nuclear program
will be curbed for a decade in exchange for potentially hundreds of billions of
dollars’ worth of relief from international sanctions. Many key penalties
onthe Iranian economy, such as those related to the energy and financial
sectors, could be lifted by the end of the year.
The draft resolution specifies that seven resolutions related to U.N.
sanctions will be terminated when Iran has completed a series of major steps to
curb its nuclear program and the International Atomic Energy Agency
hasconcluded that “all nuclear material in Iran remains in peaceful
activities.”
All provisions of the U.N. resolution will terminate in 10 years, including
the snap back provision.
But the six major powers — the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and
Germany — and the European Union sent a letter, seen by The Associated Press,
informing U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that they have agreed
toextend the snap back mechanism for an additional five years. They asked
Ban to send the letter to the Security Council.
Meanwhile, Israel’s prime minister said an “aggressive and confrontational
speech” byIran’ssupreme leader shows that any expectations a nuclear deal
would soften the militancy of the Islamic Republic were misguided.
Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday thatIrandoesn’t “even try to hide
the fact” that it will use a looming lifting of sanctions to further arm
regional militant groups and to oppose American and Israeli interests around
the MiddleEast.
On Saturday,Iran’sAyatollah Ali Khamenei said the agreement
with world powers won’t changeIran’sapproach to the United States. He also
saidIranwould continue supporting Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas and
Palestinianmilitant groups.
Netanyahu has been among the fiercest critics of the nuclear agreement
reached withIranlast week.
http://www.neurope.eu/article/un-to-endorse-iran-nuclear-deal-on-monday/