This, bringing a pause to nearly two weeks of deadly escalation that saw missile attacks, airstrikes and a growing civilian death toll across the region.

The truce has brought a measure of relief to a region teetering on the brink of broader conflict. According to the United Nations (UN), the current lull offers a crucial opportunity to reignite diplomatic efforts, particularly on the stalled 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Addressing a scheduled meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, UN Political Affairs Chief Rosemary DiCarlo welcomed the ceasefire, calling it “an opportunity to avoid a catastrophic escalation and achieve a peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue.”

The JCPOA, endorsed by Security Council resolution 2231, originally offered Iran sanctions relief in return for strict curbs on its nuclear programme. However, the agreement has been under strain since the US unilaterally withdrew in 2018. In response, Iran gradually scaled back its compliance, increasing uranium enrichment and reducing transparency with international inspectors.

With several nuclear-related provisions in the resolution due to expire on October 18, unless the Council decides to extend them, the UN has warned that the window for diplomacy is rapidly closing.

“The military escalation between Israel and Iran since June 13 and US air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 21 complicated prospects for achieving full implementation of resolution 2231,” said DiCarlo. “Iran’s strikes yesterday on a base in Qatar further exacerbated insecurity in an already tense region.”

Despite multiple rounds of US-Iranian backchannel talks mediated by Oman in recent months, little progress has been made. A sixth round of talks was postponed following the outbreak of hostilities.

--UN/ChannelAfrica--