Timeline for Looking Into JCPOA Issues Extended

European Union foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, as the coordinator of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal, announced on Friday that the timeline for discussing implementation issues at the Joint Commission under the dispute resolution mechanism has been extended due to the complexity of the matter. 
He said this was agreed during consultations between participants to the agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
"Notwithstanding differences on modalities, there is agreement that more time is needed due to the complexity of the issues involved. The timeline is, therefore, extended," he said in a statement published on the website of the European External Action Service on Friday. 
Iran triggered the mechanism as set out in paragraph 36 of the agreement in early July, referring implementation issues by France, Germany and Britain to the Joint Commission for resolution. 
The country's concerns were outlined in a letter by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to Borrell. 
The three European countries had vowed to protect Iran's interests, following the United States' withdrawal and reimposition of tough sanctions in 2018. 
Nevertheless, not only did they fail to fulfill their JCPOA commitments, but they have also recently taken measures in line with the US pressure campaign. 
Last month, France, Germany and Britain submitted a draft resolution to the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors, urging Iran to allow inspection of two sites that the agency suspected of nuclear activity in the mid-2000s. 
The resolution was adopted with two oppositions from China and Russia. 
Tehran has denied access to the locations, arguing that the agency had no reasonable ground for suspicion as the request was based on inadmissible data provided by Israel. 
Moreover, the issue was settled with the signing of JCPOA.

Next Meeting 

The three countries had earlier activated the dispute mechanism in mid-January, after Iran took a final step away from its JCPOA commitments in response to the US pressure and the European inaction. 
Iran has scaled back its commitments as a remedial measure foreseen in JCPOA, declaring that all moves would be reversed as soon as it can enjoy the deal's benefits once again. 
The European powers, however, did not accept the argument that Iran is entitled to reduce compliance with JCPOA. 
"We do this in good faith with the overarching objective of preserving JCPOA and in the sincere hope of finding a way forward to resolve the impasse through constructive diplomatic dialogue," they said. 
The Joint Commission has not been able to convene a regular meeting in light of travel restrictions due to Covid-19 pandemic, but the participants have undertaken extensive consultations over the issue, according to Borrell. 
“All JCPOA participants reconfirmed their determination to preserve the agreement, which is in the interest of all,” he stressed.
Borrell said the next meeting of the Joint Commission will be scheduled as soon as travel conditions allow. 
"It will review progress of ongoing discussions covering both concerns regarding nuclear implementation, as well as the wider impacts of the withdrawal of the United States from JCPOA and the reimposition of sanctions by it, concerning which all JCPOA participants have expressed regret," the diplomat said.