Survival of JCPOA Possible If Other Parties Guarantee Iran’s Interests: Diplomat
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Seyed Abbas Araqchi said the survival of the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), would be possible if other parties give guarantees that Iran’s interests will be served by the deal.
Speaking at a meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov in Tehran on Thursday, Araqchi pointed to a recent move by the US administration to withdraw from the JCPOA and said despite the move, the Islamic Republic will continue its talks with the European sides, Russia and China to examine the possibility to continue the deal.
He further emphasized that if other parties to the JCPOA give “definitive guarantees” that Iran’s interests would be served and the negative effects of the US withdrawal from the deal would be compensated, the survival of the agreement will be possible.
The Russian deputy foreign minister, for his part, expressed regret at the US withdrawal and described the move as a threat to the international peace and security.
He further emphasized that Russia is committed to fully implement the JCPOA and cooperate with other parties to save the deal.
Ryabkov also said that his country is determined to continue efforts to deepen its ties with Iran in all its areas.
In relevant comments, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei urged that any decision to keep the 2015 nuclear deal running without the US should be conditional on “practical guarantees” from the three European parties to the JCPOA.
During a visit to the Farhangian University in Tehran on Wednesday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said Iranian administration officials are faced with a “tough test” of safeguarding the Iranian nation’s dignity in dealing with the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement.
As regards the administration’s decision to consider saving the nuclear deal with the three European parties -France, Britain and Germany-, the Leader voiced distrust of the Europeans, stressing that any plan to maintain the deal must come with practical guarantees.
Without practical and definite assurance, it is impossible to keep the deal going, because the Europeans are likely to follow the US’s lead, Ayatollah Khamenei warned.
The Leader then hit back at the US president for his “silly and cheap” comments on Iran that included more than 10 lies, saying Trump “made a damn mistake” threatening the Iranian establishment and nation.
In a speech from the White House on Tuesday, Trump accused Iran of sponsoring terrorism and seeking nukes before announcing the US withdrawal from the nuclear accord.
Following the controversial decision, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Iran weighs plans to remain in the agreement with the other five parties, namely Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, provided that the remaining JCPOA parties ensure its full benefits for Iran.
In an open session of the Iranian Parliament on Wednesday morning, a number of lawmakers set fire to the JCPOA and to the US flag in a symbolic gesture of protest.
