New York: Iran has strongly objected to a United Nations Security Council meeting on the country's nuclear program, calling it an 'unwarranted interference' in Tehran's ongoing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 'We consider this meeting as an unwarranted interference in the ongoing, constructive engagement between Iran and the IAEA,' Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Sa'eed Iravani, said in a statement at a Security Council private meeting on Wednesday. He said that the move was aimed at prolonging the 'failed and unlawful policy of maximum pressure against Iran.' He warned that such actions risk undermining the credibility of the Council.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the Iranian envoy argued that the meeting misused the Security Council to push specific political agendas rather than engage in a legitimate discussion on nuclear non-proliferation. 'The issues raised for this meeting are purely technical and fall exclusively within the mandate of the IAEA,' Iravani said. He further noted that these matters had already been discussed at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna. 'There is no legitimate basis for Security Council involvement,' he added.

In his detailed statement, Iravani criticized the United States, the United Kingdom, and France for what he described as baseless claims against Iran. He accused these countries of overlooking their own responsibilities, highlighting the United States' 2018 withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the subsequent reimposition of sanctions. Iravani claimed that these actions violated international obligations and undermined diplomatic efforts.

The Iranian ambassador reiterated that Iran's nuclear activities remain peaceful and that the country continues to comply with its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding the IAEA's independence from political pressure and reaffirmed Iran's commitment to diplomacy as the viable path forward. Despite the challenges, Iran remains engaged in negotiations with European countries and maintains dialogue with Russia and China, focusing on resolving concerns related to sanctions and nuclear issues.

Iravani concluded by asserting Iran's rights to peaceful nuclear technology and rejecting any attempts to coerce the nation into submission. He called for accountability from those who violated the JCPOA and Resolution 2231, urging the Security Council to uphold its foundational principles.