In case the US President Barack Obama fails to remove all nuclear-related sanctions under the international agreement on Iran's nuclear program, the terms of the accord have been violated and there would be grounds for Iran "to cease performing its commitments" to roll back its nuclear activities, the foreign minister says.
Mohamad Javad Zarif made the remarks at a Sunday meeting of the Majlis special commission on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the pact is officially known, according to Hossein Naqavi Hosseini, the spokesperson for the panel, IRNA reported.
The meeting, attended by Zarif and his deputies Abbas Araqchi, Majid Takht-Ravanchi as well as Hassan Qashqavi, focused on two issues, namely United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, which was adopted on July 20 to endorse the deal, and the termination of sanctions and its economic implications, a major concern for the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
The Leader has recently stated, "If the framework of sanctions is to remain in place then what did we negotiate for. If the sanctions are not lifted, there will be no deal."
Commenting on UN measures, including comprehensive economic and trade sanctions and more targeted measures such as arms embargoes, travel bans and financial and diplomatic restrictions, the top diplomat said, "Economic, financial and banking sanctions will be lifted as of the first day the JCPOA comes into force."
***Positive Tone
The chief nuclear negotiator also said, "Resolution 2231 has mentioned neither Iran's expansion of its nuclear activities nor [the claim that Iran is a] threat to international peace, in other words it has a positive tone; moreover, it was the first [UNSC] resolution to be adopted through negotiations with the target country."
According to Zarif, Resolution 2231 mainly revolves around removing sanctions and there is only a brief mention of sanctions reinstatement.
Zarif believes if the agreement is broken, Iran would be able to restore its nuclear activities much faster that the US can re-impose its sanctions as they have not been applied over night.
There has been a long process whose repetition for a second time will be much lengthier; in addition, it will cost the US president his credibility, the minister said.
Stressing that Iran is not isolated in the international arena anymore, he noted, "Under current circumstances, two key measures should be taken, one of which is to ensure full and proper implementation of the JCPOA and the second is to take advantage of the conditions to improve our capabilities with the aim of achieving economic independence."
***Lasting Commitment
Hosseini also quoted Takht-Ravanchi as saying, "The next US administrations are bound to remain committed to the JCPOA; in return Iran will fulfill its commitments for [specified durations]. In case they renege on the pledge to cease [the application of] sanctions, we will enforce the right to roll out our nuclear work."
Underscoring foreign countries' interest in entering Iran's lucrative market, Araqchi said the pact will pave the way for joint investments in Iran, according to the spokesperson.
The Foreign Ministry officials reassured that the Leader's red lines have all been observed in the course of working out the JCPOA.
