Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, set forth the positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran on foreign-policy matters, in particular the nuclear issue, at a meeting attended by Ambassadors and Heads of Resident Foreign Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations.The Minister of Foreign Affairs recounted the historical course of developments concerning Iran’s nuclear issue and Iran’s responsible, good-faith approach over the past two decades that culminated in the conclusion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015.He identified the action of the United States in 2018—its unlawful and unwarranted withdrawal from the JCPOA—as the primary cause of the present state of affairs. Araghchi observed that the Islamic Republic of Iran continued to discharge its commitments even for one year after the U.S. withdrawal; however, when the European participants in the JCPOA also evaded their obligations and acceded to U.S. sanctions, the Islamic Republic of Iran was compelled to adopt a set of remedial measures pursuant to paragraph 36 of the JCPOA and to suspend its implementation of JCPOA commitments in a gradual and reversible manner.Referring to the recent months’ developments following Iran’s entry into indirect negotiations with the United States, and to the attacks by the Zionist regime and the United States against the country during the course of those diplomatic negotiations, the top Iranian diplomat characterized that conduct as a manifest betrayal of diplomacy and an unprecedented assault upon the non-proliferation regime and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.He further affirmed that the Islamic Republic of Iran, having bravely resisted the criminal onslaught of the Zionist regime upon its territorial integrity and national sovereignty, has demonstrated that, while committed to diplomacy and dialogue, the Iranian nation will defend itself with full force against foreign aggression and overreach.In another part of his remarks, Araghchi addressed the action of the three European States in abusing the JCPOA dispute-settlement mechanism in order to seek the reimposition of Security Council resolutions that had been terminated concerning Iran’s nuclear issue, stating: The irresponsible and unlawful conduct of Germany, France and the United Kingdom in abusing the JCPOA dispute-settlement mechanism to revive terminated Security Council resolutions is devoid of any legal, logical, or moral legitimacy and is altogether unacceptable in our view. He added that the fact that six members of the Security Council, including two permanent members, China and the Russian Federation, oppose the action of the three European States indicates the existence of serious disagreement on this matter within the Security Council itself; moreover, owing to their material breaches of JCPOA obligations—particularly since 2018—and subsequently their support for the aggression of the Zionist regime and the United States against Iran’s peaceful nuclear installations, the three European States are in no position to avail themselves of the JCPOA dispute-settlement mechanisms or to press claims against Iran.Accordingly, the Islamic Republic of Iran expects the Secretariat of the United Nations and all States, in conformity with the provisions of Security Council resolution 2231, to regard all limitations set forth therein as having terminated on 18 October.Araghchi underscored Iran’s responsible recourse to diplomacy in pursuing its national interests and in safeguarding regional peace and security. He identified the intransigent and maximalist conduct of the three European States and the United States as the principal obstacle to diplomatic processes, and reiterated that the Islamic Republic of Iran is resolute in defending the national rights and interests of the Iranian people in respect of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and in seeking the removal of unjust sanctions. Concluding his remarks, Araghchi warned of the dangerous consequences and repercussions of failing to restrain the lawlessness and warmongering of the Zionist regime for global peace and security. He affirmed that the Islamic Republic of Iran, drawing upon its weighty past experience in the heroic defense of its dignity, independence, and national security, will respond decisively to any future malfeasance.