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European Non-Compliance With JCPOA Referred to Commission

The top EU diplomat stressed that the Joint Commission’s Dispute Resolution Mechanism requires “intensive efforts in good faith” by all JCPOA participants
European Non-Compliance With JCPOA Referred to Commission
European Non-Compliance With JCPOA Referred to Commission

Iran referred implementation issues by France, Britain and Germany under the 2015 nuclear deal to the Joint Commission for resolution through the Dispute Resolution Mechanism set out in paragraph 36 of the agreement, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
Tehran's concerns were highlighted by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a letter to European Union foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, who is the coordinator of the commission, ISNA reported. 
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said the move followed the three European states' "irresponsible and illegal measure" in submitting a draft resolution against Iran to the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors as well as their continued failure to fulfill their international commitments under JCPOA and the Joint Commission's directives. 
The three European parties to the nuclear deal pledged to protect Iran's benefits after the United States pulled out in 2018 and restored sweeping sanctions on Tehran. 
Not only have their feeble efforts failed to address Iran's economic woes, but they are also taking measures in line with the US pressure campaign. 
They submitted a resolution to IAEA’s Board of Governors last week, urging Iran to allow access to two sites the UN agency suspected of past nuclear activity. 
The resolution was adopted in a vote with two oppositions from China and Russia and seven abstentions. 
Iran rejected the resolution, saying it is already cooperating fully with the United Nations nuclear watchdog and has denied access to the mentioned sites because the request was based on inadmissible intelligence.
"It is stressed in the foreign minister's letter that any interference in Iran's current cooperation with IAEA regarding the [nuclear] safeguards is against the terms of JCPOA and can negatively affect the existing cooperation," Mousavi said. 
Parties to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including Iran, have IAEA safeguards agreements to ensure they do not divert civilian nuclear programs to military purposes. 

 

 

Efforts in Good Faith

In the letter, Zarif expressed Iran's readiness to preserve the deal in such a way that all parties properly implement its terms, and most essentially, Iran fully enjoys the economic rewards of the sanctions lifting.
"He [Zarif] has emphasized that in response to any excessive demand or irresponsible behavior, Iran will take appropriate measures," Mousavi said.
The letter also calls on the three European states to contribute to JCPOA's full implementation by meeting their commitments instead of following the US maximum pressure policy. 
Iran had earlier referred the Europeans' lack of compliance to the Joint Commission under paragraph 36, but as the issue remained unsolved, it resorted to "remedial measures" foreseen in the deal and began to gradually scale back its commitments in five steps. 
It declared, however, that all moves would be immediately reversed once Iran can freely access international trade again. 
Borrell confirmed having received the letter in a statement published on EEAS on Friday. 
He stressed that the Dispute Resolution Mechanism requires "intensive efforts in good faith by all" and he expects, as coordinator of the Joint Commission, that all participants approach this process in this spirit.
"The JCPOA is an historic achievement for global nuclear non-proliferation contributing to regional and global security. I remain determined to continue working with the participants of the JCPOA and the international community to preserve it," he said.

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