Iran’s Zarif: Europe Ought to Pay for Saving JCPOA
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif urged Europeans to pay the price of saving the 2015 nuclear deal, saying their actions so far have been a declaration of stances rather than operational measures.
In an interview with YJC new agency, Zarif said the European parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) have taken a series of measures after putting forward a package for saving the nuclear deal.
The Europeans have explained their measures on the US oil and banking sanctions against Iran, and have taken some actions such as authorizing the ‘European Investment Bank’ to work with Iran, he added.
“In our view, these measures (by Europe) have been an announcement of stances rather than operational measures. Though they (Europeans) have moved forward, we believe that Europe is not still ready to pay the price,” Zarif said.
The Europeans have expressed their political will in words, but such stances could meet Iran’s response only when they are accompanied by “executive measures”, he added.
Zarif said Europe, which regards the JCPOA as a security achievement, should naturally invest and pay the cost for its security.
Stressing the need for tangible European measures within the next few months, Zarif dismissed reports that Iran had set a deadline of August 6 for practical mechanisms for saving the nuclear deal.
On May 8, the US president pulled his country out of the JCPOA, which was achieved in 2015 after years of negotiations among Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).
Following the US exit, Iran and the remaining parties launched talks to save the accord.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has underlined that any decision to keep the JCPOA running without the US should be conditional on “practical guarantees” from the Europeans.
