At high-level political talks with the European Union, a senior Iranian diplomat highlighted Iran’s full adherence to the 2015 nuclear deal, calling for “mutual, efficient and durable” fulfillment of obligations by other parties in the face of the United States' unilateral withdrawal.
Abbas Araqchi, political deputy at the Foreign Ministry, made the statement at the fourth round of Iran-EU political consultations in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday, which he co-chaired with the Secretary-General of the European External Action Service Helga Schmid.
“Dithering over fulfilling the commitments will pose serious challenges to this remarkable diplomatic achievement of the international community, in which case Iran will make a decision based on its own interests and [principles of] independence,” he was quoted as saying by IRNA.
The deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was struck between Iran and world powers in 2015, but the US abandoned it in May and reimposed sanctions that had been lifted under the agreement.
“Dithering over fulfilling the commitments will pose serious challenges to this remarkable diplomatic achievement of the international community, in which case Iran will make a decision based on its own interests”
Iran has remained committed to the accord in the hope of keeping it alive, in cooperation with other signatories.
Monday’s political meeting was attended by a delegation of Iranian lawmakers and foreign ministry officials as well as directors of different departments of the European Commission.
Bilateral cooperation in such areas as agriculture, education and research, trade, transport, banking, human rights, terrorism and regional issues was on the agenda of the discussions.
Civil Nuclear Cooperation
Earlier on Monday, Araqchi spoke at the Third Iran-EU Seminar on Civil Nuclear Cooperation, which was held simultaneously with the political talks in Brussels.
He pointed out at the event that Annex III of JCPOA, which authorizes international cooperation in Iran’s civil nuclear activities has also been affected by US sanctions.
“Nuclear collaborations are not limited to Arak and Fordow, but there are many [other] projects with a commercial nature that are on hold due to the sanctions and the absence of a financial [transaction] channel,” he said.
Arak and Fordow are major civil nuclear facilities in Iran.
Araqchi voiced dismay that although the United Nations nuclear watchdog has confirmed Iran’s commitment to its obligations under the JCPOA in 13 consecutive reports, the country is still deprived of its economic benefits.
“The reimposition of US sanctions has reduced Iran’s gains from the JCPOA almost to zero,” he said.
Schmid, who also took the podium at the seminar, said Europe is aware of the difficulties that the renewed US sanctions have created and has maintained its support of the pact.
“Europe’s [supportive] attitude is not just in words,” she said, referring to efforts to establish a special financial channel.
Araqchi commended Europe’s efforts to protect the deal, which “indicate it has taken the right political path”.
However, he regretted that practical measures to prevent the deal’s collapse due to US sanctions and to ensure Iran’s benefits under JCPOA have not been adopted yet.
To keep trade relations with Iran, the EU has proposed a financial mechanism known as the Special Purpose Vehicle, which will enable transactions on a non-dollar basis, but its launch has been delayed, as no country is ready to host it for fear of US penalties.
France and Germany have reportedly stepped in to save the initiative by suggesting that they could play host to the institution.
Araqchi stressed that SPV is “essential” to the continuation of joint civil nuclear projects under Annex III.
According to the deputy foreign minister, the “give-and-take” balance of the nuclear deal has been disrupted, raising the risk of a total breakdown if Iran’s interests are not upheld.
He underscored that JCPOA does not belong to Iran or the US, but is an international agreement endorsed by the UN Security Council under Resolution 2231.
“Preserving the nuclear deal is an international responsibility and we are all bound to move toward its implementation,” he said.
