S/PV.7211 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. At this meeting, the Council will hear a briefing by Ambassador Gary Quinlan, Permanent Representative of Australia, in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). I now give the floor to Ambassador Quinlan.

I have the honour to present the report of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), in accordance with paragraph 18 (h) of that resolution. The present report covers the period from 20 March to 24 June, during which time the Conunittee held one informal meeting and two informal informal meetings, and conducted additional work using the no-objection procedure envisaged in paragraph 15 of the guidelines for the conduct of the Committee’s work. I would like to start with the final report on the Panel of Experts’ current mandate. The Council received the report on 9 June and it is now available in all United Nations languages in document S/2014/394. As always, the report includes observations that Member States may find useful for guidance in implementing the measures in resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008) and 1929 (2010), and I would like remind everyone of the importance of conveying the report to the relevant sanctions implementation authorities back home. The Committee itself had the opportunity to discuss the report with the Panel on 2 June, as required in paragraph 2 of resolution 2105 (2013), and will consider whether any follow-up action by the Committee is necessary, taking into account the report’s conclusions. In its report, the Panel again notes that some States have indicated a degree of uncertainty as to whether Council resolutions concerning Iran remain fully in force, as negotiations between Iran and the permanent five members of the Security Council and Germany enter a critical stage. I would like to emphasize once again that only the Security Council itself can alter the sanctions measures it has applied. Until there is a new resolution of the Council on the issue, the measures in resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008) and 1929 (2010) remain in full effect. The Committee stands ready to provide guidance to Member States on the application of the Council’s measures to any transaction and urges them to report any transaction they believe contravenes the measures to the Committee. In that regard, I would like to advise the Council that the Committee received a report from a Member State during the current reporting period, on 31 March, of the interdiction in the Red Sea by its naval forces of a cargo of conventional arms, including rockets, mortars and ammunition, which were allegedly loaded onto a vessel in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. The Panel of Experts, at the Committee’s direction, carried out inspections of the seized arms on 28 and 29 April, and on 16 June submitted its report to the Committee. The Committee met this week, on 23 June, to discuss this report with the Panel and is now considering its response. Similarly, the Committee wrote to Iran on 27 March in relation to a carbon-fibre interdiction that I referred to in my two previous reports, seeking Iran’s comments. Regrettably, Iran has not yet provided a response. On a happier note, cooperation between relevant Security Council’s sanctions committees, such as that of the 1737 Committee with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), has continued. The Council will recall that on 18 November of last year, the Chairs of six Committees and the President of the FATF held a joint open briefing for States Members of the United Nations. On 30 April, the FATF President informed me that he had organized a meeting for 22 June between the FATF and financial experts from the sanctions expert groups, including the Iran Panel of Experts.

I thank Ambassador Quinlan for his briefing. I now give the floor to the members of the Security Council.

I would like to thank the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), under the chairship of Ambassador Gary Quinlan, as well as its Panel of Experts, for their continued work in supporting the Security Council’s resolutions on Iran. The E3+3 and Iran have reached a critical point in the negotiations on a comprehensive agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme. With less than a month to go before the interim deal is due to expire, on 20 July, it is crucial that Iran understand that it must address the concerns of the international community if a deal is to be possible and if sanctions imposed as a result of Iran’s nuclear programme are to be lifted. The E3+3 is strongly committed to agreement on a comprehensive solution before 20 July. Several rounds of talks on the comprehensive agreement have been held in Vienna, the latest just last week. We have now entered the drafting and negotiating phase. While discussions have been frank and the atmosphere positive, gaps between the two sides remain. In parallel to these negotiations on the comprehensive agreement, the United States and the European Union have been delivering the sanctions relief set out in the Geneva interim agreement. We welcome the latest report of the International Atomic Energy Agency of 23 May, which notes that Iran has continued to implement the nuclear measures agreed on under the Joint Plan of Action. The E3+3 recognizes the importance of working with the United Nations once a deal is agreed on, in order to ensure that the appropriate Security Council framework is in place to support implementation of the agreement. However, echoing the point just made by the Chair of the 1737 Committee, while negotiations continue the bulk of the sanctions must remain in place, including all United Nations sanctions. States should be in no doubt that all of the Security Council resolutions on Iran remain fully in force. We should continue to implement and enforce those sanctions robustly. The economic pressure that sanctions create is a peaceful incentive and supports the diplomatic efforts to reach a comprehensive solution. Turning to the work of the Committee, we are concerned about breaches and possible breaches by Iran of its international obligations. The interdicton of a vessel carrying a cargo of conventional arms in the Red Sea is deeply worrying. The arms, including rockets, mortars and ammunition, were allegeldy loaded onto the vessel in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. The Panel of Experts, after a thorough investigation, concluded that the shipment was a violation of Iran’s obligations under resolution 1747 (2007). That is yet another example of an illicit arms transfer in the region involving Iran. We look forward to the Committee discussing that serious matter further and to its firm action in response. The 90-day report also highlights the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran has failed to respond to requests for information relating to a carbon fibre interdiction. That follows Iran’s failure to respond to requests for information on ballistic missile launches last year and on an intercepted arms shipment to Yemen. Iran’s ongoing failure to respond is regrettable. We call on Iran to engage in earnest with the Committee on such incidents. The United Kingdom is committed to finding a peaceful, negotiated resolution of the nuclear issue. The ongoing discussions on the comprehensive agreement are the best opportunity in recent years for a resolution of the nuclear issue. We will continue to make every effort to find a comprehensive settlement, and we look to Iran to do the same.

I would like to thank the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) for his valuable briefing and for his leadership of its work. We would also like to thank the Panel of Experts for their high- quality reports. Jordan welcomes the efforts of the Committee to assist international organizations and States in implementing the relevant resolutions on sanctions against Iran by responding to the requests of States on technical issues concerning their prompt implementation and by affirming that the Security Council resolutions on Iran still have the same legal authority despite the negotiations currently under way on the Iranian nuclear issue. We encourage the Committee to continue its investigations of violations by Iran. We call on it to contact the Iranian Government as the first step in settling the pending issues with regard to the violations, in particular those related to the arms shipment seized from a ship in the Red Sea, which constitutes a clear violation by Iran of paragraph 5 of resolution 1747 (2007), as well as the incident of carbon fibre seized in Singapore en route to Iran. Jordan calls on the Committee to continue to cooperate with the other sanctions committees in order to benefit from their expertise. Jordan welcomes the efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement between Iran, on the one hand, and the permanent members of the Security Council and Germany, on the other. At the same time, we encourage the Committee to continue to fully carry out its work.

I would like to thank Ambassador Quinlan for his briefing and commend him for his great efforts in promoting the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). China has always attached great importance to the work of the Committee and will continue to cooperate with its Chair and the relevant parties so that its work is steadily carried out in a balanced and orderly way. China has always believed that all parties are duty-bound to implement the resolutions on sanctions against Iran resolutely, accurately and comprehensively. However, the sanctions are not an end in themselves. Both the Committee and the Security Council should work towards finding a diplomatic solution. We hope that, in accordance with its mandate and the principles of objectivity, fairness and pragmatism on the basis of clear facts, concrete evidence and extensive consultations, the Committee will continue to deal appropriately with cases of alleged sanctions non-compliance. China will continue to act on the basis of such principles and actively participate in the Committee’s work in a responsible manner. China commends the positive trend demonstrated by the recent diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme. We appreciate the fact that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has maintained consultations with Iran to clarify outstanding nuclear issues so as to reach agreement on relevant steps. Currently, the negotiations on a comprehensive agreement have reached a critical stage. At the recently concluded fifth round of talks, the six countries and Iran conducted intensive negotiations on the draft text of a final agreement and achieved clear progress. An agreed draft text has been proposed on the basis of the parties’ various texts. Although the parties still have many differences regarding the draft text, the negotiations seek to narrow those differences. China hopes that all parties will cooperate on the basis of equality and mutual respect and take into account each other’s concerns so as to move forward the negotiation process. The parties should remain flexible and pragmatic in order to find a solution. The early and complete resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue and the maintenance of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and peace and stability in the Middle East are in the interest of the entire international community. As always, China stands ready to cooperate with all parties in actively working towards a comprehensive agreement that is fair, balanced, mutually beneficial and a win-win result so as to play a constructive role in finding a comprehensive, long-term and appropriate solution to the Iranian issue.

I, too, thank Ambassador Gary Quinlan for presenting the quarterly report on the activities of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) and for all the work he has done with his team as its Chair. The rapid development of the Iranian nuclear programme has been a matter of grave concern to the international community for more than a decade. The uncertainties over the exclusively peaceful purposes of that programme and Iran’s refusal to negotiate have led the Council to establish a sanctions regime. However, we have always kept the door for dialogue open. The adoption of the Joint Plan of Action of 24 November 2013, which got Iran to suspend the most sensitive activities of its nuclear programme for six months, opened a new page in the discussions between the P5+1 and Tehran. Those discussions will resume on 2 July in Vienna and should continue until the deadline provided for by the joint plan of action, that is to say, 20 July. To date, the negotiations have been difficult. The positions of the P5+1 and Iran remain apart on several key aspects of the discussion. With our partners of the E3+3, we are committed to reaching a long-term solution that makes it possible to establish and to ensure over time the exclusively peaceful purposes of the Iranian nuclear programme. However, to that end, Iran must commit to taking the technical steps to assure the international community that it will not seek to acquire a nuclear weapon in the future. Moreover, it remains essential that Iran engage with the International Atomic Energy (IAEA) in a fruitful dialogue on the possible military dimension, past and present, of its nuclear programme. The slight progress at this stage on that aspect must be followed by specific actions on the part of the Iranians. The resolution of all outstanding issues with the IAEA is crucial to achieving a long-term solution. I also wish to recall that the Security Council resolutions on Iran remain fully in force pending a comprehensive settlement of the proliferation crisis. The Joint Plan of Action explicitly states that. It is therefore with concern that we learned the conclusions of the investigation conducted by the Committee’s Panel of Experts on the interception of the ship Klos C by the Israeli authorities. The report affirms that the transfer of missiles, possibly Syrian, and of ammunition are a clear violation of the arms embargo provided for under resolution 1747 (2007). That incident is worrying on several respects. Not only does it confirm that weapons coming from Iran continue to be spread throughout the Middle East and feed the spiral of violence in the region, but it could also call into question Iran’s good faith in its express willingness to respond to the concerns of the Security Council. It is now up to the 1737 Committee to take appropriate measures to respond to the incident. A first useful response would be to transmit to the Member States the lessons that the Committee might learn from the violation. We welcome the publication of the final report of the Panel of Experts (S/2014/394, annex). That document is a precious source of information related to Iran’s illicit programme and the means used by Tehran to circumvent the sanctions. It also makes simple operational recommendations that the Committee should implement. We hope that all States Members of the United Nations will take note of the final report and use it to improve as much as possible the implementation of resolutions of the Security Council on Iran.

First of all, we would like to thank Ambassador Quinlan for presenting the quarterly report of the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). We appreciate the work that he has done as the Chair of the Committee. Between 2 and 4 April, the Panel of Experts of the 1737 Committee visited the cities of Valparaiso and Santiago in Chile, where it was able to directly observe how my country applies and complies with the 1737 regime and other United Nations sanctions regimes. During the visit of the Panel of Experts, on more than one occasion we received queries on the status of multilateral sanctions system. As the Final Report of the Panel of Experts published on 11 June sets forth (S/2014/394, annex), the consultations took place through various interviews and meetings. The report makes clear that high expectations — as well as a confusion of ideas — on a possible broad agreement among the P5+1 and Iran on the nuclear programme of that country were generated both in the private sector and among the public. That is a new context for the work of the Committee that we think should be addressed. We hope that the members of the Committee will make a serious attempt to reach consensus and move forward, at least with respect to the first recommendation in the Final Report of the Panel of Experts referring to guidance on the status of Security Council sanctions against Iran. Chile supports the diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes. As we have said on other occasions, our country is following with great interest the ongoing negotiations, even if we do so with some caution. Our attitude stems from such cases as that of the vessel Klos C, currently under consideration by the Committee, which, according to information collected, would seem to be a violation of paragraph 5 of resolution 1747 (2007).

I would like to thank Ambassador Gary Quinlan for his quarterly briefing on the work of the Security Council Committee on Iran. I would also wish to commend the Committee and its Panel of Experts for their important work. Lithuania strongly believes in the need for a comprehensive, negotiated and long-term solution that would build international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, in full compliance with its international obligations. Lithuania welcomes the progress achieved in the implementation of the Joint Plan of Action by the E3+3 and Iran of 24 November 2013. It is encouraging that the talks have now moved into the drafting phase. We encourage Iran to engage constructively with the E3+3 in resolving all outstanding issues, including those related to the possible undisclosed military dimension of the nuclear programme. We also welcome the continuing cooperation of Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency under the Framework for Cooperation. It is encouraging that the Agency could confirm the implementation by Iran of six initial and seven subsequent practical measures, as well as the agreement on a further five practical measures. The provision of design and other relevant information, as well as access to various facilities, is an essential element in helping the Agency to build a clearer picture of Iran’s nuclear programme. Pending a comprehensive solution, all Security Council sanctions imposed on Iran remain in effect. Both Iran and Member States, as well as their nationals and entities, are obliged to fully implement relevant Security Council measures. Therefore, the work of both the Committee and the Panel of Experts in verifying compliance should remain unaffected. We welcome the final report of the Panel of Experts (S/2014/394, annex) and its swift public release. We are particularly pleased with the Panel’s in-depth analysis of methods used for the evasion of sanctions and the financing of prohibited activities. The report also contains sensible recommendations that should be addressed by the Committee without delay. It is important to note that the majority of incidents investigated by the Panel of Experts were related to items that fall below established control thresholds. That underscores the need for guidance to Member States on the implementation of the catch-all clause. We see merit in adopting the implementation assistance notice in that regard, as recommended by the Panel of Experts last year. We remain concerned, however, about the disturbing pattern of conventional arms embargo violations with persistent reports of arms transfers to Syria and elsewhere. The Panel’s final report rightly points out that Iran’s actions on conventional arms stand in clear contrast to apparent restraint in areas related to the nuclear programme. The latest case discussed at the Committee, which involves attempted transfer from Iran of containers with concealed rockets, mortars and related material on the vessel Klos C, was another clear violation of Iran’s obligations to comply with the arms embargo. It merits an appropriate response by the Committee. Finally, let me reaffirm Lithuania’s support for all efforts aimed at finding a comprehensive solution to the Iran’s nuclear issue that would be the basis for building international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. We reiterate our hope that Iran’s engagement in the E3+3 talks would also translate into cooperation with the Committee.

We would like to thank Ambassador Quinlan for his briefing and his leadership of the Committee. We appreciate his efforts and those of the Committee to ensure that the Committee remains active in carrying out its important mandate. The Council meets at a time when P5+1 talks on Iran’s nuclear programme are taking place. I would like to touch briefly on those talks and discuss the importance of sanctions implementation in the recent seizure of arms aboard the vessel Klos C. The P5+1 countries remain united in their determination to resolve the concerns of the international community with regard to the Iranian nuclear programme and to bring Iran into compliance with Security Council resolutions. The P5+1 is now in an active and intense diplomatic phase in its efforts to reach a settlement with Iran. Such an outcome must achieve our goals of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and ensuring that Iran’s nuclear programme is entirely peaceful. But for now in the absence of such an agreement, all sanctions imposed by the Security Council remain fully in effect. The mandates of the Security Council’s Iran Sanctions Committee and the Panel of Experts remain unchanged. During this period of negotiations, the work of the Committee and the Panel has played and will continue to play a role supporting international diplomatic efforts. We therefore urge the Committee to continue carrying out its important functions. The Committee should be continuously taking steps to improve enforcement of United Nations sanctions and respond effectively to violations. In that vein, the United States welcomes the 2014 final report of the Panel of Experts (S/2014/394, annex). We encourage all States Members of the United Nations to carefully review the final report, which has just been posted on the Committee’s website. We urge the Committee to take prompt action to implement the Panel’s recommendations to improve sanctions implementation. Implementing those recommendations could help States better understand and carry out their obligations to enforce those sanctions. The United States has long encouraged the Committee to improve its response to wilful violations of the sanctions. That leads me to my last point, on the most egregious sanctions violation uncovered this year: the seizure of arms aboard the Klos C vessel in March. After an exhaustive investigation, the Panel of Experts documented the discovery, on board the vessel, of 40 M-302 rockets, 181 mortar shells and approximately 400,000 pieces of ammunition. Based on information from the Panel, we know that the shipment originated in Iran, and therefore constituted a clear violation of resolution 1747 (2006). The Klos C incident is another example of Iranian attempts to smuggle arms to extremists. Those repeated and intentional violations of resolution 1747 (2004) are extremely troubling, as they undermine both regional security and the credibility of the Council. We look forward to working with other Committee members to respond to the incident and to work continuously to improve the enforcement of the Council resolutions.

I would like to thank Ambassador Gary Quinlan for his briefing on the work of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). We greatly appreciate his able leadership and the robust activities of the Panel of Experts, including the submission of this year’s final report (S/2014/394, annex). Let me begin by reiterating my Government’s support for the ongoing efforts between the P5+1 and Iran as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue once and for all. In that regard, we welcome the progress on the implementation of the agreed measures and look forward to the conclusion of a comprehensive plan of action soon. We also underline that Iran should faithfully cooperate with the P5+1, the IAEA and the broader international community to resolve current and past issues, including all aspects of the possible military dimensions of its nuclear programme. Nonetheless, as emphasized once again by the Chair of the 1737 Committee, we would like to stress that the measures and obligations on the relevant Security Council resolutions remain in effect until the Council adopts a new, superseding resolution on this issue. In that regard, the final report submitted by the Panel of Experts deserves particular attention. It provides a clear rationale for us to remain vigilant against continued activities prohibited under the relevant resolutions. All Member States should heed the recommendations of the report, such as being alert against risks involved with the diversion of dual-use goods and proliferation financing. The recent interdiction in the Red Sea of a large load of conventional arms, including rockets, and the subsequent findings in the Panel’s inspection report on 16 June demonstrate the need for such continued vigilance. It is crucial for the 1737 Committee to actively follow up on the reports and take timely and effective actions in response to the violation. We also appreciate the 1737 Committee’s ongoing cooperation with the Financial Action Task Force and expect further synergy between the Committee, other relevant committees and international and regional organizations. Finally, I would like to join others in urging Iran to fully cooperate with the 1737 Committee and to respond in a satisfactory manner to the Committee’s inquiries, including on the carbon fibre case and other pending issues. Such cooperation is indeed crucial to move us all forward.

I too thank Ambassador Gary Quinlan for his statement and for the commitment he has shown with his team as the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). The Committee’s work is highly important. Luxembourg expresses its appreciation to the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 1929 (2010) for the valuable support they provide to the work of the 1737 Committee. We thank them for the excellent final report (S/2014/394, annex), which is well documented and methodologically rigorous and which it has just submitted to us. The publication of that document will be of great benefit to Member States, who will find in it a wealth of information on the various types of attempts to circumvent the sanctions regime. Luxembourg supports the recommendations contained in the final report of the Panel of Experts and calls for their effective implementation. With the adoption of the joint action plan on 24 November 2013 in Geneva and the start of its implementation on 20 January 2014, a dual milestone was reached. First, the dual approach, which combines openness to dialogue and restrictive measures, was shown to bear fruit when applied consistently. Secondly, the fact that even the most complex cases are not set in stone forever and that no level of suspicion is insurmountable for those who agree to negotiate in good faith was confirmed. The joint action plan agreed in Geneva, despite its importance, is only an intermediate step on the path that must lead to a comprehensive, negotiated and sustainable solution to the Iranian nuclear dossier. We wish, in that regard, to acknowledge the efforts of the E3 +3 countries, led by the High Representative of the European Union, Catherine Ashton, to negotiate a comprehensive agreement with Iran that establishes confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. We should recall that the issue here is not to decide on Iran’s right to the civilian use of nuclear energy. That right is not in question. The issue is to ensure that the exercise of that right happens transparently, in close cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and in full respect of all obligations arising from Iran’s international commitments. Pending a final agreement, as others have pointed out before me, the sanctions regime established by the Security Council continues to apply fully.In other words, Member States must continue to exercise the same vigilance as before. We are reminded of that by the Klos C incident, in which a ship intercepted in the Red Sea in March was found to be carrying a cargo of loaded weapons from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. That incident, which the Panel found to be a violation of the sanctions regime, shows that Iran continues to violate its international obligations even while it is engaged in negotiations to restore the international community’s confidence in it. We deplore that new violation of the sanctions regime, which is not consistent with Iran’s stated intention to reassure its international partners as to the peaceful nature of its intentions. However, we are encouraged that the most recent report of the Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, issued on 23 May, confirms that Iran has begun a substantive dialogue with the Agency intended to clarify outstanding issues concerning the possible military dimensions of its nuclear programme. We are also encouraged by the fact that the IAEA report confirms that Iran is pursuing the implementation of agreed measures on its nuclear programme with the E3 + 3 group within the framework of the joint action plan. By way of conclusion, let me reiterate Luxembourg’s full support for the diplomatic efforts currently under way in Vienna. We hope that those negotiations will lead to the desired result within the time frame set out by the joint action plan. We also express the hope that success on the Iran dossier could, in time, positively influence the evolution of other dossiers related to issues of non-proliferation.

I too would like to thank the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), Ambassador Gary Quinlan of Australia, for his very detailed quarterly report on the activities of the Committee for the period of 20 March to 24 June of 2014. Chad takes note of the report of the Panel of Experts (S/2014/394, annex), created under resolution 1929 (2010) and which supports the work of the 1737 Committee, and the recommendations contained in the report. We encourage the members of the Committee to continue their discussions on those recommendations. We also take note of the efforts aimed at a rapprochement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency. We welcome the bilateral discussions between Iran and certain countries, as well as the holding of two rounds of high-level negotiations on nuclear issues, from 14 to 16 May and from 16 to 20 June in Vienna, in the framework of the joint plan of action adopted in Geneva on 24 November 2013 between Iran and its partners and the P5+1 aimed at reaching a final agreement on the Tehran nuclear programme before 20 July 2014. Nevertheless, there have been constant violations on the part of Iran, which Chad deplores. Iran and its partners are at a crucial phase in their negotiations and we hope that they will reach a negotiated settlement on their differences for the good of international peace and security. In conclusion, we need to recognize that sanctions need to evolve to reflect the situation on the ground. That is why we think that there should be an alleviation of sanctions to bring the Iranians to the negotiating table.

I thank the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) for his presentation of the 90-day report of the Committee. I also commend him for his astute leadership of the Committee and the Panel of Experts for their hard work. We have carefully read the report of the Panel of Experts (S/2014/394, annex) and take note of their assessment that a comprehensive solution to the negotiations between Iran and the E3+3 is within reach. The observation of the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran has fulfilled its voluntary measures agreed to under the joint plan of action is significant. We also note from the report of the Panel of Experts that there is a degree of uncertainty on the part of States concerning the status of obligations regarding procurement related to uranium enrichment by Iran. There is also the challenge of identifying dual-use items that fall below established control thresholds. The report indicates that it is increasingly difficult for States to identify links between below-threshold items and prohibited end users or end uses in Iran. The report attributes this to more sophisticated procurement strategies on the part of Iran, which allows it to conceal procurement. That situation calls for more clarity on below-threshold items, and we urge the Committee to look into that with a view to providing guidance to States. On a positive note, we welcome the assessment by several States that there has been a decrease in the number of detected attempts by Iran to procure items for prohibited programmes since mid-2013. The Panel of Experts believes that this may reflect the new political environment in Iran, as well as progress in the negotiations with the E3+3. We shall continue to monitor the situation as we look forward to a successful conclusion of the negotiations within the agreed deadline of 20 July set by the joint plan of action.

I too thank the Chair for his briefing and able leadership at the helm of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). Rwanda continues to support the ongoing negotiation talks between Iran and the P5+1. We take note of the start of negotiations on the final nuclear deal. It is unfortunate that there were reports of excessive demands in the round of talks that ended on 20 June, which slowed the process. We hope that negotiators will use the break to rally the camps and come back on 2 July with realistic demands that will lead to a common text by 20 July as scheduled. The role of the 1737 Committee in support of the P5+1 process is vital to its success. We agree with the Chair that only the Security Council itself can alter the sanctions measures applied by the Council. We acknowledge the opportunity presented by the P5+1 talks towards achieving the objective of the Committee. That is why we should not hesitate to take action that would facilitate the success of the ongoing talk. The reported arms embargo violation by Iran on 31 March concerning the ship Klos C is unfortunate. We urge Iran to desist from any activity that might violate the decision of the Council. Recalling the last briefing (see S/PV.7146) and today’s briefing by the Chair, it was mentioned that the Committee had on several occasions continued to seek Iran’s comment regarding the carbon fibre prohibition, and to date it has yet to receive a response. We strongly encourage Iran to cooperate and engage with the Committee on that or any future queries. Similarly, we take note of Iran’s compliance with the regulation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and commend the transparency measures undertaken in that matter as part of the IAEA report of 23 May. Iran continues to implement its commitment under the November 2013 Joint Plan of Action. In the same line, the cooperation provides positive momentum as Iran and the P5+1 attempt to reach a comprehensive agreement. Taken together, we remain hopeful that Iran’s action on the Joint Plan of Action and the 11 November agreement with the IAEA are encouraging signs of the willingness of Iran to be more transparent about its nuclear activities in the areas of proliferation concerned. Finally, Rwanda always believes that a diplomatic solution is the only way to resolve the bottleneck over Iran’s nuclear programme.

At the outset, through you, Mr. President, I would like to begin by thanking Ambassador Quinlan for presenting the quarterly report on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) and, as we always do, for his dedicated work at the head of that subsidiary body. As noted by Ambassador Quinlan in his report and in the previous report in March, the sanctions imposed by the Security Council on Iran remain in force and must be applied by member States. In that regard, on behalf of my delegation, I would like to thank the Panel of Experts for its final report (S/2014/394, annex). We hope that the Committee will continue to consider the recommendations made ​by the Panel of Experts and will be able to reach an agreement in that regard. As we do each time the Security Council considers the quarterly report on the work of the Committee, we have received the most recent report of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the implementation of the safeguards agreement under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in Iran. In this case, we believe it is pertinent to note that the report recognizes that Iran has implemented the seven measures agreed with the Agency in February with regard to the cooperation framework with the IAEA, which is currently analyzing the information it has received. We also find it encouraging that the Agency and Iran have agreed on the five follow-on measures, to be implemented before 25 August. In addition, we also think it encouraging that the report acknowledges that Iran has complied with the measures of the joint action plan agreed with the P5 + 1. Like the other members of the international community, we follow very closely the development of the negotiations. Therefore, while we are encouraged by the willingness shown by all the parties, we hope a final agreement can be reached within the time frame that has been set. As we said here in the Council in March (see S/PV.7146) and in other forums, we are pleased that the IAEA continues carrying out activities related to monitoring and verification of nuclear energy in relation to the implementation of the joint action plan. We remain convinced of the importance of the Agency being able to count on the facilities and resources necessary to carry out its work effectively. As we said, we welcome the progress in the negotiations and we note the conclusion in the report of the IAEA Director General that Iran’s cooperation is helping the Agency to better understand the country’s nuclear programme. In that regard, we continue to believe that it is essential that Iran cooperate actively with the Agency on all outstanding issues and that it meets its obligations, including under the Council’s resolutions.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the represenatative of the Russian Federation. We are grateful to Ambassador Gary Quinlan for his briefing on the work of the Committee he leads. During the reporting period, the experts submitted a final report (S/2014/394, annex) and three reports of incidents. We would should like to share our preliminary impressions thereon. With regard to the incident reports, the Russian delegation has already expressed its position at the Committee’s meetings. With regard to our position on the conclusions and the proposal to develop an implementation note with regard to the incident concerning the interdiction in the Red Sea of the vessel Klos C, we will make those views known later following a thorough review of the documents. For now, I should like to say that any external activity by the Committee at this extremely sensitive stage of the negotiation process on the Iranian nuclear programme seems to us not to be very timely, especially given that this involves such a difficult matter as arms smuggling, where the accusations against the Iranian side are based largely on circumstantial evidence. With regard to the final report, we would once again note that the experts should be very careful in their conclusions and assessments. Any information not supported by concrete facts with regard to possible violations of the sanctions regime could have a negative impact on the conduct of the negotiations between the group of six and Iran and the latter’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and should not be included in the report. We also have some questions about the recommendations of the Group of Experts, in particular about more active cooperation with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) when it comes to the implementation of the Iran sanctions regime. The Security Council should not impose on countries the establishment of this mechanism or determine the modalities of its work. The provision by States of additional information not mandated by the Council’s resolutions, whether to the Committee, the Panel of Experts or other international organizations or mechanisms or on a bilateral basis, can be done only on a voluntary basis. All accountability requirements are set out in the resolutions of the Security Council. We have repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that the practice of clarifications to seek to interpret is unacceptable. I would also like to touch on the issue of certain initiatives put forward in furtherance of the recommendations of the Panel of Experts in the final report. First, we would like to emphasize that it is unacceptable to use the conclusions until they have been substantively discussed in the Committee. That applies first and foremost to contacts between members of the Panel and other bodies referred to in the report, such as the FATF. Secondly, we do not support considering the possibility of joint meetings between the Committees established pursuant to Security Council resolutions 1737 (2006) and 1718 (2006). While it is very important to have an exchange of experiences among the Council’s subsidiary bodies, we believe that the Council’s sanctions regimes on Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea differ both in nature and political background. As to the considerations of the experts on the future of the sanctions regime once a comprehensive settlement of the situation concerning the Iranian nuclear programme has been reached, this is an issue beyond the Panel’s mandate. The Panel should not interfere in this extremely sensitive process. In particular, it is unacceptable to prejudge its outcome. For many years, Russian diplomacy has actively worked in the interests of achieving a just settlement on Iran’s nuclear programme on the basis of the principles of reciprocity and a step-by-step approach set out by Russian Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov. In that regard, we welcome the holding in Vienna from 16 to 20 June of another full round of negotiations between the group of six and Iran. The talks were very useful and confirmed the overall readiness to continue cooperating in a constructive vein and to hold detailed discussions. The sides began to work work directly on the text of the future agreement, which will continue during the the next round of negotiations in Vienna from 2 to 15 July. We will continue to do everything we can to achieve a final comprehensive resolution of all issues related to the Iranian nuclear programme and for the lifting of the sanctions against Tehran put in place by the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.