WANA (Mar 10) – In an interview Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, warned that the unclear status of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, could lead to uncontrollable tensions. Ulyanov reaffirmed that the JCPOA remains the starting point for any new negotiations on Iran’s nuclear agreement.

 

Ulyanov emphasized that the JCPOA will expire on October 18 of this year, with no alternative agreement in place. He noted, “There is currently no replacement for the deal. Therefore, discussions will likely focus on a revised agreement, should the stakeholders reach a consensus on the need for one.”

 

The Russian diplomat further highlighted that Iran continues to fully comply with its safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), maintaining the highest level of inspections.

 

“Both Tehran and the IAEA secretariat have expressed their readiness to engage in dialogue and strengthen cooperation. However, obstacles often arise, typically due to the stance of Western JCPOA member states. For example, in November 2024, they passed an anti-Iran resolution at the IAEA Board of Governors with a majority vote,” Ulyanov explained.

 

Warning of Uncontrollable Tensions

Ulyanov also raised concerns about the potential for uncontrollable escalation due to the ambiguous status of the JCPOA. “The current uncertainty surrounding the deal poses a risk of escalating tensions beyond control. Therefore, the best solution is for the key players to return to the negotiating table. To achieve this, it is essential that the new U.S. administration clarify its approach and show its willingness to engage in negotiations,” he stated.

 

He also addressed the issue of Iran’s increasing stockpiles of enriched uranium, clarifying that it does not pose an immediate crisis since the production remains under effective IAEA supervision. “We do not see a threat to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty from Iran’s uranium enrichment process. The main issue lies in the inability of the involved parties to find common ground and shift from media-driven pressure diplomacy to a more realistic diplomatic approach,” Ulyanov said.

 

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Earlier, Yuri Ushakov, an advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, revealed that discussions on Iran’s nuclear program were part of the Russia-U.S. talks held in Riyadh on February 18. According to Ushakov, it was decided that separate negotiations would take place on this matter.

 

The JCPOA, signed in 2015 between Iran and six world powers — Russia, the U.S., the UK, France, China, and Germany — aimed to lift sanctions on Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program. However, the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018, reimposing sanctions on Tehran, which led Iran to gradually reduce its compliance with the agreement.