Iran will not distance itself from result-oriented talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal while constantly working toward neutralizing western sanctions, the Iranian top diplomat said.
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a tweet following the United States’ introduction of new sanctions on individuals and entities from Iran and some business partners.
The deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, had offered Tehran sanctions relief in return for curbs on its nuclear program, but the United States pulled out in 2018 and reimposed tough restrictions that prompted Iranian leaders to react by scaling down commitments.
Negotiations began in April 2021 in Vienna, Austria, to work out how both sides can resume compliance, but the talks have been stalled for months over a few remaining issues.
Iran blames the US for the stalemate, saying it must make the required political decisions based on facts on the ground and lift all restrictions imposed following its exit from the deal.
Washington, instead, imposed a new set of sanctions on Thursday on a network of Iranian firms, as well as on Chinese and Emirati companies, that help export Iran’s petrochemicals.
The penalties targeted two companies based in Hong Kong, three in Iran, and four in the United Arab Emirates, as well as on Chinese citizen Jinfeng Gao and Indian national Mohammed Shaheed Ruknooddin Bhore.
“The United States is pursuing the path of meaningful diplomacy to achieve a mutual return to compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,” Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement.
“Absent a deal, we will continue to use our sanctions authorities to limit exports of petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemical products from Iran,” he added.
Sanctions Nullification
Amir-Abdollahian described the move as “lunacy”, highlighting Iran’s policy of nullifying sanctions alongside negotiations.
“Abiding by Majlis law, we continue talks & call on US to be realistic & abandon sanctions lunacy. We NEVER hesitate to neutralize sanctions,” he tweeted, referring to a February 2021 parliamentary law which required continued diplomacy and set out countermeasures until a possible lifting of sanctions.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister for economic diplomacy dismissed the new sanctions as ineffective.
“Our petrochemical industry and its products have long been under sanctions, but our sales have continued through various channels and shall continue to do so,” Mehdi Safari said on state TV.
The US had also earlier joined European powers to push for a resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors to blame Iran for failing to give credible answers about safeguards issues.
Iran and the IAEA had agreed in March to settle this case by early June, but the director general reported ahead of the board meeting that Iran’s explanations were not justifiable.
The document was passed last week despite opposition by Russia and China.
Tehran reacted by advancing nuclear activities and reducing cooperation with the agency so far as it concerned operations beyond the safeguards agreement, as per the Majlis law.
In his tweet, Amir-Abdollahian reiterated Iran’s call on the IAEA “to focus on technical duties instead of adopting politicized approach.”
