Iran needs to create a peaceful political environment to thwart Washington's spreading of uncertainty over the nuclear deal aimed to discourage business with Tehran, says a senior official.
Washington has been discouraging banks and companies from doing business with Iran through creating an atmosphere of "uncertainty and ambiguity" to prevent the country from reaping the benefits of the nuclear agreement, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in Tehran on Tuesday.
"We have to put an end to this negative atmosphere and stop saying constantly that we have racked up zero achievements under the JCPOA," he said at a gathering of the Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Products Exporters Union in reference to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear program, IRNA reported.
"Now that the Americans want to put restrictions on us, we have to change this atmosphere. We need a peaceful political atmosphere."
The obstacles that the 2015 nuclear agreement was supposed to remove, have been completely removed, Araqchi said, adding that $40 billion worth of oil has been sold over the past few months.
Washington's Ire
The deputy for legal and international affairs at the Foreign Ministry also noted that the increase in Iran's power and influence after the signing of the nuclear deal has drawn the ire of US President Donald Trump, which is one of the reasons behind his repeated threats to dismantle the agreement.
He cited European powers' commitment to the 2015 agreement, support of Russia and China, and the solidity of the deal itself as the main reasons Trump has not been able to quit the nuclear accord so far.
Minimizing Gains
Araqchi added, "Now that Trump cannot annul the JCPOA, he has no option but to minimize Iran's achievements."
However, the "psychological atmosphere" prevailing in the international business community is not influenced by the US president's continuous warnings, he said.
After Trump's recent announcement, a number of countries expressed renewed interest in cooperation with Iran in the economic field, the diplomat stated, adding, "We have to use this opportunity and do not allow the atmosphere of uncertainty to continue."
Trump said on Friday he would extend a waiver on nuclear sanctions against Iran for the last time to give the United States and its European allies a final chance to amend the agreement, according to Reuters.
Sanctions Reprieve
Araqchi believes that Iran should take full advantage of the reprieve from the sanctions through strengthening its economic ties with other countries, particularly European and East Asian states, which in turn would further solidify the nuclear pact.
Iran is now in a better economic condition, he said, adding, "However, there are many economic problems in the country, and the country's economy is facing certain obstacles. These obstacles should be removed."
Araqchi noted that the Foreign Ministry has committed itself to serving the country's economic interests and helping the country boost its non-oil exports and the export of oil products.
