EU Inaction on JCPOA Must End

Iran’s foreign minister urged the European Union to end its inaction with regard to the 2015 nuclear deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the call in telephone conversations with his German, French and Austrian counterparts this week. 
“Reiterated Vienna Talks must secure our rights/interests. US’ irresponsible conduct & EU’s passivity must end,” he said in a tweet about the phone calls. 
The JCPOA has been unravelling since the United States pulled out in 2018 and reimposed sweeping sanctions on Tehran. 
The European parties, France, Germany and Britain, have been unable to protect Iran’s interests, compelling Tehran to take reciprocal measures by rowing back on its commitments. 
Fresh negotiations have been underway since April in the Austrian capital Vienna to work out how the US and Iran can resume full compliance. 
The talks, however, have reached a halt since June, following the Iranian presidential elections which brought conservative Ebrahim Raeisi to power. 
France and Germany on Wednesday urged Iran to return rapidly to nuclear negotiations.
Amir-Abdollahian noted that the US, by its illegal exit from JCPOA and reimposition of sanctions, and European countries through their poor performance, are responsible for the current situation and must now re-implement all their commitments. 
“Iran will take part in negotiations that can have tangible results in securing the interests of the Iranian nation,” he told his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, on Wednesday, ISNA reported. 
He regretted that the incumbent government of the US is using the illegal sanctions as an instrument of pressure against the Islamic Republic despite previous claims.
“They must know that we do not surrender to such pressure and Europe must also try to play a constructive role by taking thought-out positions,” he said.

Real Sanctions Removal

Germany had also earlier raised pressure on Tehran, asking it to resume talks “as soon as possible.”
“We are ready to do so, but the time window won’t be open indefinitely,” a ministry spokesperson told a briefing.
The Iranian minister told German top diplomat Heiko Maas on Thursday that the three European powers must change their behavior and end their inaction in fulfilling JCPOA commitments. 
He said Iran acknowledges the nature of Vienna negotiations and will conduct them, but only accepts talks that can result in “real removal of sanctions” and secure the inalienable rights of the Iranian nation. 
“The Americans must know that they cannot talk [with Iranians] but in a language of respect, politeness and logic and the language they use sometimes is not only unhelpful in addressing issues, but also creates problems,” he said. 
In his phone conversation with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg on Thursday, Amir-Abdollahian also stressed that Iran welcomes diplomatic talks in its nature, but “negotiation for the sake of negotiation is unacceptable.” 
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has performed its share for keeping the JCPOA alive by showing strategic patience in response to the US exit and Europe’s inaction, and it is now time for the other JCPOA parties to cooperate and implement their obligations in a real and practical manner,” he said.