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48-847: The mission of the Department is "communicating the ideals and work of the United Nations to the world; to interacting and partnering with diverse audiences; and to building support for peace, development and human rights for all." In 2018, Jan Kickert , Permanent Representative of Austria to the UN, was Chairman of the United Nations Committee on Information, a subsidiary body of the United Nations General Assembly established to deal with questions relating to public information. The Committee oversees

96-426: A fissile material to cause a nuclear chain reaction . The most commonly used materials are uranium 235 ( U ) and plutonium 239 ( Pu ). Both uranium 233 ( U ) and reactor-grade plutonium have also been used. The amount of uranium or plutonium needed depends on the sophistication of the design, with a simple design requiring approximately 15 kg of uranium or 6 kg of plutonium and

144-627: A "major decline" in Iran's nuclear activity. Iran had produced stockpiles near 20% (medium-enriched uranium). Stocks in excess of 300 kg enriched up to 3.67% would be diluted to 0.7% or sold in return for uranium ore, while uranium enriched to between 5% and 20% was to be fabricated into fuel plates for the Tehran Research Reactor or sold or diluted to 3.67%. P5+1 agreed to facilitate commercial contracts. After 15 years, all limits on enrichment would be removed, including limits on

192-542: A past covert nuclear weapons program to the IAEA, as required. On 8 May 2018, Trump announced U.S. withdrawal from JCPOA . On 7 August 2018, the E.U. enacted a blocking statute to defeat U.S. sanctions on countries trading with Iran. In November 2018, U.S. sanctions came back into effect, intended to force Iran to alter its policies, including its support for militant groups in the region and its development of ballistic missiles . In May 2019, IAEA certified that Iran

240-444: A resolution and for Congress to vote on whether to override the veto. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) covered 109 pages, including five annexes. The major provisions are: Over 15 years, Iran would reduce its stockpile of low-enriched uranium by 97%, from 10,000 kg to 300 kg, and limit enrichment to 3.67%, sufficient for civilian nuclear power and research, but not for weaponry. This represented

288-428: A short-term program freeze in exchange for decreased economic sanctions. The IAEA began inspections under this interim agreement. The agreement was formally activated on 20 January 2014. That day, an IAEA report stated that Iran was adhering to the terms of the interim agreement, including stopping enrichment of uranium to 20%, beginning to dilute half of the stockpile of 20% enriched uranium to 3.5%, and halting work on

336-432: A sophisticated design requiring as little as 9 kg of uranium or 2 kg of plutonium. Plutonium is almost nonexistent in nature, and natural uranium is about 99.3% uranium 238 ( U ) and only 0.7% U . To make a weapon, either uranium must be enriched or plutonium must be produced. Uranium enrichment is required for nuclear power , although not to the same purity. For this reason, uranium enrichment

384-421: A time out" as a confidence-building measure, under which sanctions and enrichment would be suspended. A November 2007 U.S. National Intelligence Estimate assessed that Iran had halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003; that estimate and U.S. Intelligence Community statements assessed that Iran was maintaining its option to develop nuclear weapons". In September 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama revealed

432-427: Is a dual-use technology required for both civilian and military purposes. Key strategies to prevent proliferation of nuclear arms include limiting the number of operating uranium enrichment plants and controlling the export of nuclear technology and fissile material . Iranian development of nuclear technology began in the 1970s, when the U.S. Atoms for Peace program began providing assistance. Iran ratified

480-811: Is an agreement to limit the Iranian nuclear program in return for sanctions relief and other provisions. The agreement was finalized in Vienna on 14 July 2015, between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations S.C. —China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, U.S.—plus Germany) together with the European Union . Formal negotiations began with the adoption of the Joint Plan of Action , an interim agreement signed between Iran and

528-602: The Arak IR-40 reactor , Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant , Gachin Uranium Mine, Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant , Isfahan Uranium Conversion Plant , Natanz Uranium Enrichment Plant , and the Parchin Military Research complex . The agreement took effect on 20 January 2014. It was criticized and opposed in the U.S. , Israel , Saudi Arabia , and by Iranian principlists . The U.S. withdrew from

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576-761: The Austrian Permanent Representative to the United Nations . In October 2017 Kickert denounced as “wrong and unjustifiable” a possible move by the U.S. administration to “decertify” Iran's compliance with the Iran deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action . In 2017-19 Kickert was Chairman of the United Nations Committee on Information, a subsidiary body of the United Nations General Assembly established to deal with questions relating to public information. The Committee oversees

624-622: The Natanz enrichment facility. In February 2003 Iranian President Mohammad Khatami acknowledged the existence of the facilities and acknowledged that Iran had undertaken "small-scale enrichment experiments" to produce low-enriched uranium for power plants. IAEA inspectors visited Natanz. In May 2003 Iran allowed IAEA inspectors to visit the Kalaye Electric Company, but not to take samples. In June 2003, an IAEA report concluded that Iran had failed to meet its obligations under

672-611: The Natanz uranium enrichment plant; and the Parchin military research and development complex. In 2015, the U.S. enacted the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015. Under the Act, once a nuclear agreement was negotiated with Iran, Congress had 60 days in which to pass a resolution of approval, a resolution of disapproval, or do nothing. The Act included time beyond the 60 days for the president to veto

720-664: The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1970. After the 1979 Iranian Revolution , Iran's nuclear program fell into disarray as "much of Iran's nuclear talent fled the country in the wake of the Revolution". The new leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini , initially opposed nuclear technology. In the late 1980s Iran reinstated its nuclear program, with assistance from China (which entered into an agreement with Iran in 1990), Pakistan (which did

768-672: The University of Vienna and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna , and served in a variety of diplomatic and international positions in his early career. He was born in Bangkok, Thailand . Kickert studied at the University of Vienna in Austria. He then studied at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna . Kickert served in a variety of diplomatic and international positions in his early career. From 1996 to 1997 Kickert worked at

816-863: The Arak heavy-water reactor. A major focus of the negotiations was limitations on the Arak IR-40 heavy water reactor and production plant (which was under construction, but never became operational. Iran agreed in the Joint Plan of Action not to commission or fuel the reactor; the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant ; the Gachin uranium mine ; the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant ; the Isfahan uranium-conversion plant;

864-797: The Austrian Embassy Ottawa as Minister-Counselor and DHM, from 2005 to 2007 he worked in the Cabinet of the Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs , and from 2007 to 2009 he was Deputy Head of Cabinet of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. From 2009 to 2011 he was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Austria to the Republic of Croatia, and from 2011 to 2015 he was Director General for Political Affairs/Austrian MfA. From 2015 to 2020, Kickert has been

912-994: The Austrian Embassy in Bratislava (Slovakia) as an Attaché, from 1997 to 1999 at the Austrian Embassy in Belgrade (FRY) as 2nd Secretary, from 1998 to 1999 he Seconded as Special Assistant to the EU Special Envoy to Kosovo, and from 1999 to 2000 he Seconded as Political Advisor to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (Kosovo). From 2001 to 2004 he worked at

960-600: The Europeans, saying that during the negotiations, Iran had mastered the conversion of uranium yellowcake at Isfahan. In August 2013, three days after his inauguration, Rouhani called for negotiations with the P5+1. In September 2013 Obama and Rouhani spoke by telephone, the first high-level contact between U.S. and Iranian leaders since 1979, and Secretary of State John Kerry met with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif . Former officials alleged that, in order to advance

1008-630: The IAEA inspected several facilities. This was followed by the Paris Agreement in November 2004, in which Iran agreed to temporarily suspend enrichment and conversion activities, including those related to centrifuges, and committed to working with the EU-3 to find a diplomatic solution". In August 2005, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused the Iranian negotiators of treason. Over

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1056-592: The Natanz facility and had to respect specific limitations for eight years. The intent was to maintain a one-year breakout interval. With cooperation from the "Working Group" (the P5+1 and possibly other countries), Iran was permitted to modernize the Arak heavy water research reactor based on an agreed design. Arak was to be limited to 20 MW t to support allowed research and production, while minimizing plutonium production and avoiding weapons-grade plutonium. Spent fuel

1104-446: The Natanz plant. The centrifuges there were limited to IR-1 centrifuges, Iran's oldest and least efficient; Iran would warehouse its advanced IR-2M centrifuges during this period. Non-operating centrifuges would be stored in Natanz and monitored by IAEA, but could be used to replace failed centrifuges. Iran agreed to build no enrichment facilities for 15 years. Iran could continue research and development work on enrichment only at

1152-551: The P5+1 countries in November 2013. Iran and the P5+1 countries engaged in negotiations for the following 20 months and, in April 2015, agreed on an Iran nuclear deal framework , which later led to JCPOA, along with a Roadmap Agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Negotiations centered around sanctions relief and restrictions on Iran's nuclear facilities, including

1200-471: The S.C. acknowledged Iran's rights under Article IV of the NPT, which provides the "inalienable right... to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes". In 2007, IAEA director-general Mohamed ElBaradei said that military action against Iran "would be catastrophic, counterproductive" and called for negotiations. ElBaradei specifically proposed a "double, simultaneous suspension,

1248-730: The S.C. resolutions derived from the IAEA Statute and the United Nations Charter . The resolutions demanded that Iran cease enrichment activities, and imposed sanctions, including bans on the transfer of nuclear and missile technology to the country and freezes on the assets of certain Iranian individuals and entities. In July 2006, Iran opened the Arak heavy water production plant, which led to another S.C. resolution. Four more S.C. resolutions followed: 1747 (March 2007), 1803 (March 2008), 1835 (September 2008), and 1929 (June 2010). In Resolution 1803 and elsewhere

1296-488: The S.C.. In April 2006 Ahmadinejad claimed that Iran had explored nuclear technology for power generation, not weapons. In June 2006 the E.U. 3 joined China, Russia, and the U.S., to form the P5+1. That July, the S.C. passed its first resolution (nr. 1696) , demanding Iran stop uranium enrichment and processing. S.C. resolution 1737 was adopted in December; followed by others. The legal authority for IAEA referral and

1344-579: The UN News Centre. In 2002, when the News Centre was under the Department of Public Information, it launched an email-based United Nations News Service. The Outreach Division works to foster global dialogue between academia, civil society, the entertainment industry, educators and students to encourage support for the goals of the United Nations. This Division serves the broadest audience through: The United Nations Development Business (UNDB)

1392-405: The aims and activities of the United Nations by disseminating information to the public. It achieves this by: The News and Media Division works with partners in global media to disseminate information on the United Nations and its work. This includes dissemination in various formats, including: television, radio and Internet. The Departments services include: The News and Media Division includes

1440-633: The deal, the Obama administration shielded Hezbollah from the Central Intelligence Agency and from the Drug Enforcement Administration 's Project Cassandra investigation regarding drug smuggling. Attorney General Jeff Sessions ordered an investigation. On 24 November 2013, after several rounds of negotiations, the interim Joint Plan of Action was signed between Iran and the P5+1. It consisted of

1488-413: The deal. In 2018, IAEA inspectors spent an aggregate of 3,000 calendar days in Iran, installing seals and collecting surveillance camera photos, measurement data, and documents for further analysis. In March 2018, IAEA Director Yukiya Amano said that the organization had verified that Iran was implementing its nuclear-related commitments. On April 30, the U.S. and Israel said that Iran had not disclosed

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1536-506: The existence of an underground enrichment facility in Fordow, near Qom . Israel threatened military action. In March 2013 the U.S. and Iran began talks in Oman, led by William Burns and Jake Sullivan (U.S.) and Ali Asghar Khaji (Iran). In June 2013 Hassan Rouhani was elected president of Iran. In a 2006 negotiation with Europe, Rouhani said that Iran had used the negotiations to dupe

1584-623: The following two months, the E.U. 3 agreement fell apart as talks over the Long Term Agreement broke down; the Iranian government "felt that the proposal was heavy on demands, light on incentives, did not incorporate Iran's proposals, and violated the Paris Agreement". Iran notified IAEA that it would resume enrichment at Esfahan . In February 2006 Iran ended its implementation of the Additional Protocol and resumed enrichment at Natanz, prompting IAEA to refer Iran to

1632-550: The midterm review of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action implementation, with a view to producing a political declaration. Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Withdrawn The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ; Persian : برنامه جامع اقدام مشترک , romanized :  barnāmeye jāme'e eqdāme moshtarak ( برجام , BARJAM )), also known as the Iran nuclear deal or Iran deal ,

1680-542: The monitoring and verification provisions for as long as Iran remained a party to the NPT. A comprehensive inspections regime would monitor and confirm Iranian compliance. The IAEA was to have multilayered oversight "over Iran's entire nuclear supply chain, from uranium mills to its procurement of nuclear-related technologies ". For sites such as Fordow and Natanz, the IAEA was to have 24-hour access to nuclear facilities and to maintain continuous monitoring (including via surveillance equipment). The agreement authorized

1728-790: The number of its gas centrifuges . For 15 years, Iran agreed to enrich uranium only up to 3.67% and not to build heavy-water facilities . For 10 years, uranium enrichment would be limited to a single facility using first-generation centrifuges. Other facilities would be converted to avoid proliferation risks. IAEA would have regular access to all Iranian nuclear facilities to monitor compliance. In return for verifiably abiding by those provisions, Iran would receive relief from U.S., European Union , and United Nations S.C. nuclear-related sanctions . The JCPOA formed part of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 . The Security Council (S.C.) enacted it on 20 July 2015 and adopted it on 18 October. It took effect on 16 January 2016 (Adoption Day). JCPOA

1776-559: The pact in 2018 and imposed sanctions under the policy of "maximum pressure". The sanctions applied to all countries and companies doing business with Iran and cut it off from the international financial system, rendering the nuclear deal's economic provisions null. The agreement included a series of provisions describing actions that Iran would undertake for specified periods of time. For 13 years, Iran agreed to eliminate its stockpile of medium- enriched uranium , cut its stockpile of low-enriched uranium by 98%, and reduce by about two-thirds

1824-479: The safeguards agreement. Iran, faced with the prospect of a U.N. S.C. referral, entered negotiations with France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (the E.U. 3). The U.S. took no part. In October 2003, Iran and the E.U. 3 agreed to the Tehran Declaration. Iran agreed to full IAEA cooperation, to sign the Additional Protocol, and to temporarily suspend uranium enrichment. In September and October 2003

1872-652: The safety and security of Jews wherever they are. I say this with growing up and living with the shame that my forefathers were among the worst perpetrators in Nazi times." On 30 October 2018, the President of the UN General Assembly María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés informed UN Member States that Kickert and Doma Tsherin, Permanent Representative of Bhutan, would co-facilitate the intergovernmental negotiations related to

1920-499: The same in 1992), and Russia (which did the same in 1992 and 1995), and from the A.Q. Khan network. Iran began pursuing nuclear capability, including uranium mining and experimenting with uranium enrichment. In August 2002 the Paris-based Iranian dissident group National Council of Resistance of Iran publicly revealed the existence of two undeclared nuclear facilities, the Arak heavy-water production facility and

1968-544: The type and number of centrifuges, Iran's stocks of enriched uranium, and enrichment sites. According to Belfer, at this point Iran could "expand its nuclear program to create more practical overt and covert nuclear weapons options". Iran initially possessed centrifuges sufficient for one nuclear weapon, but not for nuclear power. Over ten years, Iran would secure over two-thirds of its centrifuges in storage, reducing active units to 6,104 centrifuges, with only 5,060 allowed to enrich uranium. Enrichment would be restricted to

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2016-723: The work of the United Nations Department of Global Communications . In October 2018, after the synagogue shooting at the Tree of Life – Or L'Simcha Congregation in Pittsburgh , Kickert addressed the Temple Israel congregation in New York City and said: "The attack on the Tree of Life Congregation was an attack on all of us, on what we stand for – religious liberty, human rights. We are committed to

2064-637: The work of the United Nations Department of Global Communications. The Department aims to accomplish this through its three Divisions: The Strategic Communications Division formulates and launches global information campaigns on United Nations issues to help support the goals of the Organisation. The Division also manages its network of 63 United Nations Information Centres around the world. These centres are responsible for promoting greater public understanding of, and support, for

2112-491: Was abiding by the main terms, though questions were raised about how many advanced centrifuges Iran was allowed to have, which was only loosely specified in the deal. On 1 July 2019, Iran announced that it had breached the limit set on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium, which the IAEA confirmed. On 5 January 2020, Iran declared that it would no longer abide by the deal's limitations but would continue to coordinate with IAEA. A fission-based "atomic" nuclear weapon uses

2160-589: Was launched in 1978 as a news source for information about procurements . Jan Kickert Jan Kickert (born 19 September 1964) is an Austrian diplomat, currently serving as Austrian Ambassador in Rome . Previously, he served as the Austrian Permanent Representative to the United Nations and political director at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs . He was born in Thailand, studied at

2208-429: Was to be converted into a nuclear physics and technology center. For 15 years Fordow would maintain no more than 1,044 IR-1 centrifuges in six cascades in one wing. Two of the six cascades would be transitioned for stable radioisotope production for medical, agricultural, industrial, and scientific use. The other four would remain idle. Iran agreed to keep no fissile material there. An Additional Protocol extended

2256-468: Was to be sent out of the country. All heavy water beyond Iran's reactor needs was to be exportable. In exchange, Iran imported 130 tonnes of uranium ore in 2015 and in late 2016 was approved to import 130 tonnes in 2017. For 15 years Iran agreed not to research or engage in spent fuel reprocessing , build additional heavy-water reactors, or accumulate heavy water. Fordow would stop researching and enriching uranium for at least 15 years. The facility

2304-503: Was to remain in effect for eight years or until receipt by the S.C. of an IAEA report stating that IAEA had reached the Broader Conclusion that all nuclear material in Iran remained in peaceful activities, and terminated ten years from Adoption Day. On 12 October 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would not make the certification provided for under U.S. domestic law , but stopped short of terminating

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