Iran's envoy to the UN nuclear agency has called on all the parties to last year's nuclear deal to show good faith vis-à-vis their commitments by taking practical steps instead of releasing statements.
The accord between Iran and major powers, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, went into force in January to provide for sanctions relief in return for curbing Tehran's nuclear program.
The powers to the agreement include the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany, together known as P5+1 or E3+3.
"The E3/EU+3 have a clear obligation to implement the JCPOA in good faith in a constructive atmosphere based on mutual respect. They need to refrain from any action inconsistent with the letter, spirit and intent of the JCPOA that would undermine its successful implementation,'" Reza Najafi said, referring to the landmark deal.
Expecting Reciprocation
As was recently verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Yukiya Amano, Iran has fully complied with its side of the agreement and now expects reciprocation from the other side to ensure the sustainability of the action plan, he said.
Addressing a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna on Wednesday, Najafi said, "Since the JCPOA implementation day… Iran has continued to fully implement its share of the deal which was monitored and verified by the agency."
"As we have stated from the beginning of this process, reciprocal and full implementation of the commitments by E3/EU+3 is an essential pillar of the JCPOA and the crucial part of the agreement for its longevity," the envoy noted, according to a transcript of his remarks carried by domestic news agencies. Tehran is struggling to access financing from abroad while most major foreign banks fear unwittingly violating vague, lingering American sanctions, which prohibit trade with Iran in dollars and bar Iranian access to the US financial system.
Iran has called on the United States to do more to remove obstacles to the banking sector so that foreign businesses feel comfortable with investing in Iran without the fear of penalties.
Diplomatic pressure from Tehran compelled the United States, Britain, France and Germany to release a joint statement last month, reaffirming their commitment on cooperation to reassure skeptical foreigners that Iran is a safe place for investment, despite the residual US restrictions.
Slow Pace
"Although results of the JCPOA on cooperation with Iran have [shown progress] and new agreements in different fields, particularly in economy and trade, are being undertaken, the pace of their implementation is not adequate." Najafi complained, calling on the six world powers to engage in effective cooperation with Iran in all fields.
The IAEA is tasked with monitoring and verifying Iran's JCPOA commitments. Amano, in his latest report late last month, confirmed Iran's full compliance.
Urging Confidentiality
Najafi highlighted the IAEA's duty to maintain complete secrecy about classified national security information the Iranian government confides in the agency to facilitate its probe.
"My delegation once more would like to recall that [in addition to IAEA regulations regarding confidentiality,] the JCPOA clearly requests the agency 'to take every precaution to protect commercial, technological and industrial secrets as well as other confidential information coming to its knowledge.'"
