Iran Has World’s Most Transparent Nuclear Program: Putin
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said Iran's nuclear program is the most transparent one in the world and Moscow "regrets" to see the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers is “falling apart”.
Speaking to reporters after talks with Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen on Wednesday, Putin aired his frustration with expectations from Moscow to save the landmark agreement, saying Russia was not "a fire brigade" to "rescue everything."
"We regret that the deal is falling apart," Putin said, according to Russian media.
"After the signing of the agreement Iran was and still is the world's most verifiable and transparent country in this sense."
"Iran is fulfilling all of its obligations," said Putin, citing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"We cannot rescue everything that does not fully depend on us. We've played our part," adding that Europe could do "nothing" to salvage the deal without the US.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) issued a statement on Wednesday, saying the country is no longer fulfilling some of its obligations under the JCPOA, and setting a two-month deadline for the remaining parties to fulfill their undertakings.
The statement came a few days after the US administration renewed five of seven sanctions waivers that allow Russia and European nations to conduct civilian nuclear cooperation with Iran but revoked the other two as part of its pressure campaign against Tehran.
Washington also stopped issuing waivers to buy Iranian crude oil on May 2.
On May 8, 2018, US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the JCPOA.
Following the US withdrawal, Iran and the remaining parties launched talks to save the accord.
The European Union has vowed to counter Trump’s renewed sanctions on Iran, including by means of a new law to shield European companies from punitive measures, but it has so far failed to do anything beyond making statements.