UN Security Council panel says Iran sanctions staying put

Committee tasked with monitoring embargo welcomes Geneva agreement but says Tehran still uncooperative

UNITED NATIONS — The UN committee monitoring sanctions against Iran said Thursday it welcomes the recent nuclear agreement between the Islamic republic and six world powers but warns that Security Council sanctions are still in place.

The committee on Thursday gave its first briefing since the interim deal was reached last month in Geneva.

“It is my hope that the agreement in Geneva will encourage Iran to engage with the Security Council and the Committee,” committee chair Gary Quinlan from Australia said.

Quinlan said his committee has reached out twice this year to Iran about probable violations of council resolutions on the country’s nuclear program, with no response.

The council’s five permanent members, plus Germany, fear Iran’s goal is to produce atomic weapons. Iran says its program is solely for peaceful purposes