Haley's Iran Session at UN Turns Into Defense of Nuclear Deal

Written by
Kambiz Foroohar
Written by

Kambiz Foroohar

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(Bloomberg) -- Members of the United Nations Security Council used an emergency session requested by the U.S. on deadly protests in Iran to defend the 2015 nuclear deal that's increasingly seen as under threat by President Donald Trump's administration.

U.S. envoy Nikki Haley focused her remarks on the protests that have killed at least 20 people and led to as many as 1,000 arrests. She said the demonstrations were a “spontaneous expression of fundamental human rights” against an “oppressive government” that prioritizes militias and terror groups abroad over its own people.

“The Iranian people are calling out, ‘Think of us!”' Haley said, echoing a chant heard at some protests.

While diplomats from other nations called on Iran's government to exercise restraint and allow freedom of expression, many also used the meeting to defend the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, which Trump has called the “worst deal ever.” Their comments come one week before Trump must decide whether to continue waiving sanctions which, if implemented, could unravel the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Ending the nuclear accord “would be a major setback for the entire international community,” French envoy Francois Delattre said, adding that “the agreement is one of the cornerstones of stability in the Middle East as a whole.”

U.K. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft echoed Haley's concerns about Iran's regional role and crackdown on protests, but added, “The U.K. remains fully committed to the JCPOA. We encourage all members states to uphold all their commitments. A prosperous, stable Iran is beneficial to all.”

Sweden's envoy, Deputy Ambassador Irina Schoulgin Nyoni, appeared to sum up the view of many on the Security Council: “Human rights violations must be separated from JCPOA. The agreement is there to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Kambiz Foroohar in New York at kforoohar@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Bill Faries at wfaries@bloomberg.net, Larry Liebert