Iran Awaits US Practical Moves

American officials’ remarks about the 2015 nuclear deal, whether positive or negative, do not matter to Iran as it is waiting for the United States’ practical and effective measures to take proportionate action, a senior diplomat said. 
“Anytime we see the US primary step in effectively removing the sanctions, we will respond proportionately,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a regular press briefing on Monday, ISNA reported. 
Washington in 2018 pulled out of the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and restored tough sanctions on Tehran in violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed the agreement.  
The so-called maximum pressure campaign pursued by former US president, Donald Trump, after the withdrawal jeopardized Iran’s economic interests assured under the agreement, as the European signatories also failed to counter its effects.
Iran finally resorted to the deal’s remedial measures and scaled down its commitments in moves that it said would be reversed the moment sanctions are effectively removed. 
New US President Joe Biden has said he would bring Washington back into the agreement, but only after Iran resumes strict compliance. 
“It was the US that breached UNSC 2231 and exited JCPOA … The one who has violated its commitments must return,” Khatibzadeh said. 
He emphasized that Iran neither quit the deal nor violated the resolution, and its reciprocal measures were within the framework of JCPOA.
“The ball is now in the court of those who tried their best to ensure Iran does not benefit from JCPOA and they can end this damaging course with one decision,” the diplomat said.  

Signature on Paper

The US must lift the sanctions reimposed by the Trump administration in a way that its economic effects can be visible to Iran, according to Khatibzadeh.
“They exited JCPOA with one signature but cannot return with one,” he said. 
A signature on paper would not suffice and would be responded by a “signature on paper” on Iran’s part, he added. 
Iran’s action plan for the next weeks and months have been clearly defined by a parliamentary law and the government will implement the legislation step by step unless a practical step is taken by Washington. 
The law requires the administration to suspend more JCPOA commitments until positive steps are taken by the deal’s participants. 
In response to the possibility of negotiations with the US over the deal, Khatibzadeh said Tehran will not hold any bilateral talks with Washington, but Americans can be part of discussions within the framework of the JCPOA Joint Commission as a member of P5+1 (five permanent members of the UNSC, plus Germany) if they move toward complete implementation of the UNSCR 2231. 
He, however, said there is a long road ahead before the US could join talks on JCPOA as part of the Joint Commission, but the first step is Washington’s return to its commitments, which needs no negotiations. 
According to the spokesman, the US must accept and compensate the damage it caused to Iranians and correct its previous approach. 
“This will definitely not remain without a response on Iran’s part,” he added. 
Khatibzadeh also dismissed rumors about Iran’s secret negotiations with the US, stressing that Tehran’s stances on JCPOA have been declared openly and there is no need for talks through secret channels.