S/PV.7265 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 the same resolution, which is of course on the Iran sanctions regime. The present report covers the period from 25 June to 12 September, during which time the Committee conducted its work using the standard no-objection procedure envisaged in paragraph 15 of the guidelines for the conduct of the Committee’s work. During the reporting period, the Committee continued its consideration of the final report of the Panel of Experts, in particular in view of any follow- up action by the Committee. Taking into account the report’s conclusions, the Committee intends to continue its deliberations on the recommendations of the report, which have not yet been concluded. The Committee continued to consider its response to the Panel of Experts’ report (S/2014/394, annex) concerning the interdiction in the Red Sea by a Member State on 31 March of a cargo of conventional arms that was allegedly loaded onto a vessel in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. Following the Panel’s clear conclusions, the Committee wrote to Iran on 9 July in relation to that incident, seeking its comments. Iran has not yet provided a response. During the reporting period, the Committee considered requests for guidance from Member States covering a range of issues, including notification requirements and proposals for possible cooperation with Iranian companies in the field of mine action and a request for the delisting of an entity that is currently on the consolidated list of designated individuals, entities and good to which the sanctions apply. The Committee also provided a response to an international organization, clarifying whether its proposal for technical assistance to Iran was in compliance with the sanctions regime, and is currently working with the organization on a similar request. The Committee welcomes such engagement on matters of implementation and compliance, and encourages Member States to seek guidance from the Committee on the application of the Council’s measures to support their implementation. The Committee received a communication from a Member State during the reporting period relating to actions it had taken to implement the relevant Security Council measures. The Committee encourages Member States that have not yet submitted reports to do so as soon as possible, in recognition that national implementation reports are an important means of enhancing implementation of the sanctions measures. In connection with the Panel of Experts, I am pleased to report that, following the Council’s decision in resolution 2159 (2014) of 9 June to extend the Panel’s mandate to 9 July 2015, the Secretariat has finalized the administrative steps related to the experts’ appointment. On 1 August, the Panel submitted its programme of work for the new mandate, in accordance with paragraph 3 of the same resolution. On behalf of the Committee, I would like to recognize the efforts of the Panel in assisting the Committee’s work, and we look forward to further close and fruitful collaboration with the Panel under its new mandate. During the reporting period, the Panel continued its important outreach work by visiting a Member State at its invitation, from 29 June to 2 July, to discuss the measures taken by the particular State to implement resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008) and 1929 (2010). The Panel of Experts and its individual members also participated in relevant international meetings and conferences, including the third plenary meeting of the Financial Action Task Force and working group meetings, the European Union Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference, and a symposium on managing sanctions risks in the maritime transportation sector, hosted by the Governments of Australia and Singapore last week in Singapore, on 12 September. Finally, the Committee remains fully committed to Member State implementation of all relevant obligations as the P5+1 negotiations continue.

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

I thank the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), Ambassador Gary Quinlan, for his presentation of the 90-day report of the Committee. We note that the Committee has continued its consideration of the reported case of the interdiction in the Red Sea of a vessel carrying conventional arms allegedly loaded in Iran. We would like to encourage Iran to respond to the Committee’s request for comments on the issue in order to facilitate its work. We are pleased to note that member States continue to seek guidance from the Committee on notification requirements and proposals for possible cooperation with Iranian companies, including the provision of technical assistance to Iran. That shows a willingness on the part of member States to comply with the sanctions regime. Finally, we commend Ambassador Quinlan for his astute leadership of the Committee and the Panel of Experts for their hard work in the pursuit of their mandate.

I thank the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), under the chairmanship of Ambassador Quinlan, as well as the Panel of Experts, for their continued work in supporting the implementation of the Security Council’s resolutions on Iran. Negotiations between the E3+3 and Iran on a comprehensive agreement regarding Iran’s nuclear programme are reaching a decisive moment. The E3+3 remain strongly committed to agreement of a comprehensive settlement before 24 November, and talks will continue here in New York over the coming days. Some progress has ben made and we believe that a deal is possible, but it is now imperative that Iran show greater flexibility on the future scope of its nuclear programme, in particular on enrichment. Iran must also engage more actively with the International Atomic Energy Agency to address concerns over the possible military dimensions of its nuclear activities. In parallel, the United States and the European Union have continued to deliver the sanctions relief set out in the joint plan of action. But while negotiations continue, we should be clear. The bulk of sanctions, including all United Nations sanctions and the obligations on United Nations Member States that arise from the relevant Security Council resolutions, remain in place and must continue to be enforced in full. That acts as an incentive for Iran to negotiate seriously towards a comprehensive agreement. We must continue to implement and enforce those sanctions robustly. Turning to the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), we remain concerned by Iran’s clear breaches of its international obligations, as well as its continued failure to respond to the concerns of the international community represented by the Committee. The interdiction on 31 March of a vessel carrying a cargo of conventional arms in the Red Sea remains a matter of concern. The Panel of Experts, after a thorough investigation, concluded that the shipment was “a violation of Iran’s obligations under paragraph 5 of resolution 1747 (2007)”. We urge Iran to reply to the Committee’s 9 July letter seeking comments on the incident. We also note Iran’s continued failure to respond to previous requests for information on the carbon fibre interdiction, ballistic missile launches and an intercepted arms shipment to Yemen. We call on Iran to engage with the Committee in earnest on such incidents. The Committee must remain active and diligent in its work to enforce the sanctions on Iran. We therefore welcome the Committee’s provision of guidance to Member States and international organizations on the current sanctions regime and the outreach work carried out by the Panel. The United Kingdom is committed to finding a peaceful, negotiated solution to the Iran nuclear issue. The ongoing discussions on a comprehensive agreement are the best opportunity in recent years to achieve that. We will continue to make every effort to find a comprehensive agreement, and we look to Iran to do the same.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Australia, Ambassador Quinlan, for his briefing and for his efforts to promote the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). China has always valued the Committee’s work and will continue to actively participate in it, and hopes that the Committee will continue to fulfil its mandate in a pragmatic, steady and balanced manner. China has consistently maintained that the relevant Council resolutions should be fully and accurately implemented. Sanctions are only a means and not the end of resolutions, and do not constitute a criterion for measuring the work of the Committee. In the current circumstances, the work of the Committee and the Panel of Experts should contribute to diplomatic efforts to find a settlement to the issue. We hope that the Committee will continue to handle appropriately isolated cases of violation and that it will strengthen the monitoring and instruction of the Panel. The Panel should act in strict accordance with the mandate of the resolution, fulfil its responsibilities according to the principles of neutrality and objectivity, and refrain from any measure that violates the spirit of the resolution, thereby affecting the work of the Panel. Since the beginning of the year, the Iranian nuclear issue has enjoyed positive developments. In July, the sixth round of negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran on a comprehensive agreement made some progress on certain agenda items thanks to intense consultations. There were also differences. The parties agreed to extend the negotiations to 24 November. China supports that decision. It will help the parties to move towards a comprehensive, long-term and appropriate settlement of the issue. It is of vital importance that a comprehensive agreement be reached on time at the next round of talks. The six countries and Iran will hold a new round of dialogue in New York this week. China hopes that the parties concerned will intensify their diplomatic efforts and that they will be flexible and pragmatic, stay the course of consultations on an equal footing so as to meet each other halfway, and work for a comprehensive agreement that is equitable, balanced, mutually beneficial and win-win. In the meantime, we hope that the international Atomic Energy Agency and Iran will continue to strengthen their cooperation. The Iranian nuclear issue bears upon the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, as well as on peace and stability in the Middle East. In the new circumstances, China stands ready to work with all parties to actively promote negotiations so as to make an additional contribution to finding a comprehensive resolution of the issue.

We would like to thank Ambassador Quinlan for his briefing covering the work undertaken during the reporting period by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), which he chairs. Given the extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts tasked with providing that subsidiary body of the Security Council with qualified conclusions on various aspects of the Iranian sanctions mechanism, we wish to focus on two issues that we consider important. First, all the experts’ activities, including their data and analysis, are confidential. They cannot automatically be included in documents of the Committee that are meant for broad distribution. Secondly, the conclusions reached by the independent experts reflect only their own viewpoints and are not decisions of the Committee. In particular, they are not guidelines for action, at least not until the Committee has been able to come to a clear decision on them. We hope that this understanding of our work will be retained in the future. We consider it necessary to address individually several important elements of the Chair’s briefing. First, while at our last time on this item (see S/PV.7211) we discussed the incident of the interdiction in the Red Sea of the closed vessel, we should like once again to emphasize that we are not convinced by the experts’ allegations with respect to the direct involvement of Iran in that incident. The accusations aimed at Tehran are based on secondary, and not direct evidence. Even if we could prove that there was a violation under paragraph 5 of resolution 1747 (2007), the nature of the specific violation would not be clear. Secondly, we agreed to retain in the last paragraph of the report (S/2014/394) the issues highlighted by our Western colleagues. We understand what they are trying to say, but we do not share the concern that some member States might interpret the decisions achieved during the negotiation process on the settlement of the Iranian nuclear programme as a signal of the weakening of the Security Council sanctions regime towards Iran. There is also another important aspect to the issue. Some United Nations Members, wrongly interpreting the Security Council agreed sanctions, have gone outside that framework by instituting unilateral restrictions and limitations that lack a basis in international law. They are harming only themselves, creating complexities that are impossible to resolve at the United Nations. We also consider it important to note that, at the current critical stage of the negotiating process on the Iranian nuclear programme, any external activity of the Committee — that is, acting outside of its mandate or substituting real action with political statements of any sort — is absolutely unacceptable. To us, this is not the time for such behaviour. We will do everything that falls to us to bring the Iranian nuclear programme issue to a conclusion, including lifting sanctions against Tehran pursuant to resolutions of the Security Council. In that regard, we welcome the holding of the next round of the negotiating process, to take place from 18 to 26 September in New York, and hope that it will reach a successful conclusion.

I thank the Australian Ambassador for his presentation of the quarterly report of the activities of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), and for all the work he has accomplished with his team for nearly two years. The Iranian nuclear programme has for more than a decade now been a serious threat to international peace and security and a constant cause for concern for the Security Council. Uncertainties about the exclusively peaceful purpose of the programme and Iran’s years- long refusal to engage in dialogue have led us to develop a sanctions regime. However, the Council has always been careful to keep the door to dialogue open. On 24 November last year, Iran and the E3+3 reached agreement on a Joint Plan of Action, providing for the suspension by Iran of the most sensitive activities in its nuclear programme for six months. The Plan has allowed for the turning of a new page in the discussions between the E3+3 and Iran with a view to finding a long- term solution. After six months of intense discussion, the P5+1 and Iran were unfortunately unable to reach an agreement; still, they have decided to extend the deadline for discussions until next 24 November. Significant differences remain between Iran and the E3+3 with respect to several key aspects. Negotiations will resume in a few days here in New York on the sidelines of the general debate of the General Assembly. We approach them with an open mind, but we are not complacent. With our partners in the P5+1, we are determined to achieve a long-term solution that would allow us to establish and ensure in the long term the exclusively peaceful purpose of Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran must assume all the technical consequences of its commitment to not developing nuclear weapons, and it is only on that condition that we can obtain an acceptable agreement. It is also essential that the dialogue undertaken by Iran with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) produce concrete results, particularly with regard to the possible military dimension, past and present, of its nuclear programme. It is with concern that we read the latest report of the Director General of the IAEA citing Iran’s lack of cooperation with the Agency, including on issues related to the possible military dimensions of the nuclear programme. Mr. Amano reiterated his concerns today to the press on the sidelines of a meeting of the Board of Governors. We also note that this is the first time the Agency has publicly reported a lack of economic cooperation on the part of Iran since President Rohani’s assumption of power. That is not a positive development. The resolution of all issues related to the possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear programme is a key element in restoring confidence and thus for the long- term agreement that we all seek. Finally, I recall that the Security Council’s resolutions on Iran remain fully in force pending a comprehensive settlement of the proliferation crisis, as the Joint Plan of Action explicitly sets forth. A few months ago, we became aware of the disturbing findings of the inquiry by the Committee’s Panel of Experts on the interception of the vessel Klos C by the Israeli authorities. The Experts’ report confirmed that the cargo shipment of arms from Iran containing rockets, mortar shells and ammunition was a violation of the arms embargo decided by the Council. It is up to the Sanctions Committee to take appropriate action to respond to the incident. In conclusion, we hope that the Committee will be able to make rapid progress in the implementation of the recommendations contained in the final report of the Panel of Experts (S/2014/394, annex). They are simple and operational and would allow for great improvement in the implementation of the resolutions.

I join those who have preceded me in thanking Ambassador Gary Quinlan for his briefing and his efforts as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). I also would like to express my delegation’s appreciation to the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 1929 (2010) for the valuable support they provide to the work of the Sanctions Committee. While it is true that sanctions are not an end in themselves, it must also be remembered that they were not imposed ​without justification. They are the response of the international community to the fear generated by the long-concealed development of the Iranian nuclear programme. Fear is the direct opposite of trust. The Joint Plan of Action agreed in Geneva on 24 November last year was a crucial milestone on a path that must lead specifically to the re-establishment of confidence in the exclusively peaceful purpose of the Iranian nuclear programme. The great merit of the Plan is to have revived the dynamics of dialogue between the parties involved. In that regard, Luxembourg welcomes the intense diplomatic engagement of the E3+3, led by the High Representative of the European Union, Catherine Ashton, with a view to negotiating a comprehensive agreement that leads to a complete, negotiated and lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. But pending the conclusion of such an agreement, the sanctions regime established by the Security Council remains fully applicable. Regarding the work of the 1737 Committee, we continue to advocate for the implementation of the recommendations of the final report of the Panel of Experts (S/2014/394, annex). We also consider it important to continue to examine the case of Klos C on the seizure in March of a shipment of arms from Iran, for which the Panel has found that there had been a violation of the regime sanctions. The latest report of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), dated 5 September, notes that Iran continues to proceed with the development of effective confidence-building measures, suspending the most sensitive activities in its nuclear programme, pursuant to the Joint Plan of Action. That is certainly an encouraging sign. However, we have not forgotten that the Iranian authorities must also continue to cooperate with the IAEA on outstanding issues related to possible military dimensions in their nuclear programme. On that point, the IAEA report finds it regrettable that there has been an unsatisfactory level of commitment on the part of Iran. That attitude is a cause for concern. It contrasts with the good faith claimed by Iran as to the purpose of its intentions. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate Luxembourg’s full support of current diplomatic efforts between the E3+3 and Iran. Those efforts have now reached a turning point. It is our hope that, despite the obstacles that remain to be overcome, the round of talks to start this week here in New York will allow a decisive step to be taken on the road towards the definitive resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue.

I should like to first thank the Permanent Representative of Australia for his remarkable efforts at the helm of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). I should also like to thank the Panel of Experts for drafting excellent reports replete with independent information. We welcome the extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts and call for an inquiry into the violations committed during the previous reporting period. We should also see continued commitment to working with the Iranian Government to obtain clarifications on the violations that have been committed. Many States Members of the United Nations have not yet submitted their reports on the measures they have taken to implement the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. We should underscore that the success of the work of the Committee depends on those reports. Member States must submit them. We urge the countries in question to submit the reports as quickly as possible in order to facilitate the work of the Panel of Experts and the Committee. Regarding the final report of the Panel of Experts (S/2014/394, annex), Jordan calls on the Committee to continue its deliberations on this matter, bearing in mind all the recommendations of the Panel of Experts, and likewise address the matter of companies producing dual-use technology or items. Those concerned should be encouraged to keep the Committee and the Panel of Experts informed regarding those who are not supporting such efforts. We would also like to express our support for the E3+3 negotiations. We encourage the Committee to continue with the mission that it was charged with and continue with its efforts in order to find a solution that is compatible with Security Council resolutions.

At the outset, I would like to thank Ambassador Gary Quinlan for his quarterly briefing on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). I would also like to commend the Panel of Experts for their meticulous work. Lithuania has long called for a comprehensive, negotiated and long-term solution that would strengthen international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, in full compliance with its international obligations and the relevant Security Council resolutions. Lithuania notes the progress achieved thus far in the implementation of the 24 November 2013 Joint Plan of Action agreed by the E3+3 and Iran. We reiterate our call on Iran to demonstrate transparency, determination and political will and to engage constructively with the E3+3 in resolving all outstanding issues, including those related to the possible undisclosed military dimension of Iran’s nuclear programme. We are closely following the continuing dialogue and cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency under the Framework for Cooperation. The provision of all pertinent information by the Islamic Republic of Iran and unimpeded access to various facilities are key to achieving transparency and enabling the Agency to have a clear understanding of Iran’s nuclear programme. Pending a comprehensive agreement, however, all Security Council sanctions imposed on Iran remain in effect. The Islamic Republic of Iran, Member States and their nationals and entities are obliged to fully implement the relevant Security Council measures. The work of both the Committee and the Panel of Experts in verifying compliance should remain unaffected. We reiterate our appreciation for the final report of the Panel (S/2014/394, annex) and underline the importance of implementing its recommendations without any delay. We are very concerned about the pattern of conventional arms embargo violations, with persistent reports of arms transfers from Iran to Syria and elsewhere. The latest case involved the attempted transfer from Iran of containers with concealed rockets, mortars and related material on the Klos C vessel. It was another clear violation of Iran’s obligations pursuant to the relevant Security Council resolutions. Appropriate and timely response by the Committee in addressing such violations is critical. Finally, let me reaffirm Lithuania’s support for intensive diplomatic efforts by the E3+3 and Iran, under the leadership of Catherine Ashton, to achieve a comprehensive and final solution to Iran’s nuclear issue and build a strong basis for mutual trust. We reiterate our hope that Iran’s engagement in the E3+3 talks will translate into cooperation with the 1737 Committee.

I would like to thank Ambassador Gary Quinlan for his briefing on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). We appreciate his able leadership and the robust work of the Panel of Experts over the reporting period. With the talks between the P5+1 and Iran set to resume shortly, I reiterate the Republic of Korea’s firm support for the ongoing diplomatic process to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. We hope that an agreement will be reached within the extended time frame on a joint comprehensive plan of action that fully addresses all existing concerns. We urge Iran to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency to clarify all present and past unresolved issues. We also believe that, notwithstanding the diplomatic process, the measures provided for by Security Council resolutions on Iran remain fully in effect. In that regard, the interdiction in the Red Sea of conventional arms last March, which the 1737 Committee Chair mentioned in his briefing today, is a reminder that we should remain vigilant against Iran’s prohibited activities. The Committee needs to actively follow up on the Panel report on that case and take the necessary measures in response. On the same note, it is important that the 1737 (2006) Committee continue to discuss ways to effectively implement the recommendations of the Panel of Experts’ final report (S/2014/394, annex), such as on information-sharing for cases of proliferation financing and alerting companies of the risks of trading dual-use goods. Finally, we are pleased to learn that the Secretariat has completed the reappointment of the Panel following the extension of its mandate until next year. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Panel.

We thank Ambassador Gary Quinlan for presenting the quarterly report on the work of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). We reiterate our appreciation for his able leadership of the work of the Committee. Chile is closely following the negotiations between the permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany and the European Union, on the one hand, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the other. This is an historic opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of diplomacy as the primary tool in the conduct of international relations. Chile welcomes the report of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of 5 September on the implementation of the Safeguards Agreement in connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the relevant Security Council resolutions on the Islamic Republic of Iran. In particular, we welcome the implementation of three of the five measures agreed in the Framework on Cooperation with the Agency, including two within the deadline of 25 August. We note that the Islamic Republic of Iran has begun discussions with the IAEA on the implementation of the two remaining measures, which are perhaps the most important, concerning the delivery of information on the conduct of explosives experimentation and neutron transport calculations. We encourage the Islamic Republic of Iran to ensure that the commitment it has undertaken in the Framework of Cooperation with the IAEA and the Joint Plan of Action signed with the P5+1 countries plus the European Union is reflected within the 1737 Committee, for example by responding to letters addressed to the Committee. That would be a good sign. Chile understands that we do not work in a political vacuum and that actions or measures that could be negatively perceived by either party and affect the climate of dialogue should be avoided. However, it is important to remember that while a definitive and satisfactory agreement that has been endorsed by the Security Council does not exist, the measures imposed by the United Nations with respect to Iran’s nuclear programme will remain in force. Chile is confident that the spirit of cooperation and commitment that has been demonstrated by the Government in Tehran in its dialogue with the P5+1 on its nuclear programme can be reflected in other pressing issues in the Middle East. Iran’s support in resolving such issues is needed. In conclusion, and with respect to the Panel of Experts, Chile notes the new configuration of that group. We underscore the need for the Secretariat to be guided by the principles of gender equality and equitable geographical representation in the Committee and in the other subsidiary bodies of the Security Council.

I would like to thank the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), Ambassador Gary Quinlan, for his quarterly report on the activities of the Committee for the period of 25 June to 12 September. Chad takes note of the quarterly report and encourages the Committee to continue its work, including the consideration of the recommendations of the report of the Panel of Experts (S/2014/394, annex). Chad also encourages the Committee to continue its interaction with Member States to provide them with guidelines on Security Council measures. Finally, we encourage the Committee to continue its communication with the Islamic Republic of Iran concerning the incident of 31 March.

At the outset, through you, Madam 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 always, for his dedicated work at the head of that subsidiary body. We have received the final report of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the implementation by Iran of its Safeguards Agreement under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We underscore that the report acknowledges that Iran has implemented two of the five measures agreed with the Agency in May under the cooperation framework with the IAEA and two additional measures after the established deadline. We also note that the report points out that, in the reporting period, Iran did not enrich uranium above 5 per cent and that, following reconversion processes, it no longer has a stock of 20-per cent enriched uranium. Like the other members of the international community, we are following developments in the negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran very closely. We find the willingness shown by all parties encouraging and hope that a final agreement can be reached by the new agreed deadline of November. Once again, we are pleased that trust has again been placed in the IAEA so that it may carry out its nuclear energy monitoring and verification activities in relation to the implementation of the Joint Plan of Action. In conclusion, we welcome the progress in the negotiations. We note the conclusion of the Director General of IAEA with regard to Iran’s strong commitment to implementing the Joint Plan of Action. At the same time, we reiterate our continued belief that Iran must meet its obligations, including the Council resolutions, and actively cooperate with the Agency on all outstanding issues.

I would like to thank Ambassador Gary Quinlan, Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), for the presentation of the Committee’s 90-day report and for his able leadershp at the helm of the Committee. Rwanda recognizes the efforts of the Committee and its Panel of Experts in helping Member States and other entities to comply with their obligations in accordance with resolution 1737 (2006) and other relevant resolutions. We particularly welcome the Chair’s report on guidance to Member States, which covers a range of issues regarding the sanctions regime. We believe that such communication between the Committee and Member States or other interested entities will enhance compliance with the Iranian sanctions regime. We urge the Government of Iran to cooperate with the Committee and its Panel of Experts in order to clarify the issue of the interdiction in the Red Sea by a Member State of a cargo of conventional arms that were allegedly loaded onto a vessel in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. Such cooperation will be important in preventing the Committee and the Panel from reaching arbitrary conclusions and should be carried out in line with Iran’s demonstrated willingness to cooperate with international actors so as to settle the outstanding issues with regard to its nuclear programme. Rwanda commends Iran and the P5+1 for the important ground covered in the ongoing negotiations towards a final comprehensive nuclear deal. We commend the parties for finding value and diplomacy and for seeking peaceful political solutions. However strenuous it may seem, that was evident in July, when the parties agreed to extend the period of the negotiations for another four months to give themselves more time to close the underlying gaps. We look forward to the resumption of talks next week in New York. Meanwhile, in the light of the recent report of the International Atomic Energy Agency, we call on the Government of Iran to enhance its cooperation with the Agency regarding its nuclear programme. In conclusion, we consider the efforts of the 1737 (2006) Committee and its Panel of Experts an integral part of the initiatives to find a solution to the standoff between Iran and the international community on Iran’s nuclear programme. While recalling that the sanctions regime remains in force until the settlement of the crisis, we call on the Committee to always be ready to take actions that would support the success of the talks between Iran and P5+1 and other similar peaceful initiatives.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of the United States. We would like to thank Ambassador Quinlan for his briefing and his leadership of the Committee. We appreciate his efforts to ensure that the Committee remains active in carrying out its mandate. The Council meets today as P5+1 talks continue on Iran’s nuclear programme. The representatives of those countries are negotiating a comprehensive plan of action that, once implemented, would ensure that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon and that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful. They seek to finalize such arrangements by 24 November of this year. We wish the negotiators well. In the meantime, the Council and its Iran Sanctions Committee must ensure the continued implementation of United Nations sanctions. We have been troubled to hear reports of confusion as to whether the sanctions remain in effect during the period of negotiations. Although the P5+1 offered Iran some limited and reversible sanctions relief as part of the joint plan of action, the plan included no changes to United Nations sanctions. On the contrary, only the Security Council has the authority to tighten, relax or otherwise modify the measures imposed under resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008) and 1929 (2010). Similarly, only the Security Council may change the mandate of the Committee and its Panel of Experts. In the absence of such a decision of the Council, the important work of enforcing the sanctions must continue. The Committee and the Panel should continue their vital efforts. More should be done to help States understand and implement their obligations under such resolutions. We urge the Committee and the Panel to devote special attention to the long-standing problem of illicit Iranian exports. Resolution 1747 (2007) prohibits Iran from exporting all arms and related material to any group or country around the world. Yet just this spring, Iran was caught smuggling tons of arms aboard the vessel Klos C. We are grateful to the Panel for researching that incident in great detail and for shining a light on Iran’s prohibited arms shipments. We encourage the Committee to consider follow-up action to ensure that those that violate Security Council resolutions face the consequences. In that vein, Iran’s arms smuggling to groups in Gaza has been especially pernicious and should be a focus of the Committee’s work in the coming months. Iran’s pipeline of arms and military equipment to extremist groups in Gaza makes it harder to find solutions that could enable Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace. In the coming weeks and months, the Committee’s work will remain vital. We therefore encourage the Committee to support full enforcement of the Council’s resolutions for as long as the resolutions remain in effect. 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.