Zarif Debunks US Fact Sheet after Lausanne Statement
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underscored that a framework agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program stipulates that all anti-Iran sanctions should be terminated under a final deal, contrary to the talk of suspension the US has claimed in a fact sheet.
Speaking in a television talks show on Saturday night, Zarif criticized Washington for a fact sheet that includes interpretations differing from the contents of the joint statement after recent nuclear talks between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).
On April 2, Iran and the six powers reached a framework agreement on Tehran's civilian nuclear program after intensive negotiations in Lausanne, Switzerland, with both sides committed to push for a final, comprehensive accord until the end of June.
The framework provides a series of solutions that will be the basis of a comprehensive joint plan of action.
According to the framework agreement, the nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union and the US will be removed.
But the US Department of State issues a fact sheet afterwards, claiming that the US and EU nuclear-related sanctions will be “suspended” after the IAEA has verified that Iran has taken all of its key nuclear-related steps.
In reply, Foreign Minister Zarif said Iran has protested to US Secretary of State John Kerry about differences between the fact sheet and the Lausanne statement.
“In fact, the Americans brought what they desired in the fact sheet,” he noted.
In relevant comments on Friday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the sanctions imposed on the country over its peaceful nuclear energy program will be entirely removed immediately after a final nuclear agreement between Tehran and six world powers comes into effect.
