Parliament Speaker Slams US Admin’s ‘Disappointing’ Stance on Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Parliament Speaker denounced the new US administration’s disappointing stance on the 2015 nuclear deal, saying Washington ought to find a way to lift the sanctions on Iran in practice instead of setting preconditions for rejoining the JCPOA.
Speaking at a Sunday session of the parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf deplored US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent comments about the JCPOA and the new US administration’s disappointing stance on Iran.
“Instead of setting preconditions for carrying out its commitments, the administration of Mr. Biden must determine how it is going to fulfill the commitment to the removal of sanctions practically,” the senior lawmaker said.
The smart people of Iran are not naive, Qalibaf said, adding that the clear experience of the JCPOA would not allow Iran to play the game of measures in return for promises once again.
“It is like we have paid the seller for a commodity, but have not received anything. Who would make such a bargain?” the parliament speaker said.
In a tweet on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif pointed to the US’ hostile actions against Iran in response to the comments from Blinken, who said the US will meet its commitments under the JCPOA only after Iran does so.
In his tweet, titled “reality check for Blinken”, the Iranian foreign minister said the US violated the JCPOA, blocked food and medicine to Iranians, and even punished adherence to the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the nuclear deal.
“Throughout that sordid mess, Iran abided by JCPOA, only took foreseen remedial measures. Now, who should take 1st step?” Zarif asked.
“Never forget Trump's maximum failure,” he told his new American counterpart.
In his first briefing as US state secretary, Blinken told reporters on January 27 that Washington wants to restart meeting its JCPOA obligations, but that Iran needs to act first and any US return may take a while.