Deputy FM Slams EU3’s ‘Wrong Move’ on IAEA Anti-Iran Resolution
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi deplored the move by the three European parties of the JCPOA to initiate an anti-Iran resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors, warning them not to ruin the opportunity for diplomacy.
In remarks at a meeting of Iran-Greece political consultations, held via videoconference on Wednesday evening, Araqchi denounced the “wrong move” of the UK, France and Germany to draft a resolution by the UN nuclear agency’s Board of Governors criticizing Iran, while the Islamic Republic and the UN nuclear watchdog have reached an agreement following the IAEA chief’s recent visit to Tehran.
“After the failure of the US’ policy of maximum pressure, Iran would not accept the same behavior,” he said.
Araqchi reiterated that the only way to revive the 2015 nuclear deal is for the US to lift the illegal sanctions on Iran.
“We expect the other parties to seize the remaining opportunity for diplomacy and avoid any measure resulting in further damages to the current conditions,” he stated.
The three European parties to the JCPOA are pressing ahead with a US-backed plan for a resolution by the IAEA Board of Governors criticizing Iran for suspending the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol of the NPT.
Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned the EU3 that such a resolution would disrupt the current conditions.
“We hope wisdom would prevail, otherwise, we would have (other) approaches,” Zarif warned.
According to the Iranian Parliament’s ‘Strategic Action’ on lifting sanctions and safeguarding national interests, ratified in October 2020, Tehran has halted the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol because the signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal have failed to honor their commitments.
Following last week’s visit to Tehran by the IAEA director general, Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog issued a joint statement, declaring that Iran will stop its voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol and will deny IAEA inspectors access to its nuclear facilities beyond the Safeguards Agreement as of February 23, 2021 for three months.