Top Security Official Underlines Iran’s Options in Int’l Dealings

A senior security official underscored Tehran’s imperishable position and policies after an American diplomat highlighted the availability of US options with regard to Iran. 
In a post on his Twitter account, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said Tehran has “options that are never removed from the table.”
“Glorious presence of Iranians in ceremonies in support of the Islamic establishment; Maintaining and strengthening #Iran’s peaceful nuclear capacities and defense capabilities; Regional security-making policies of Islamic Republic,” are among those undying facts, according to Shamkhani.
His remarks came after US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman denied assertions that Iran has the upper hand in negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
“We’re not going to [just] accept anything Iran has to offer. We will reenter the JCPOA in its fullness if Iran maintains compliance with it,” she said. 
“And all of our options always remain on the table, regardless of what gets chosen here,” she said.

The agreement was originally signed by Iran and the six world powers and lifted international sanctions on Tehran in return for curbs on its nuclear program. 
The US, however, withdrew unilaterally in 2018 and reimposed sweeping sanctions that prompted Tehran to roll back on its commitments in response. 
New US President Joe Biden called it a mistake and vowed to rejoin the JCPOA, making way for indirect negotiations in the Austrian capital Vienna since April 2021 to work out how both sides can resume full compliance. 
Despite some progress, key issues still remain unresolved as western parties warn of losing time given the pace of Iran’s nuclear advancements.
Iran says it will reverse its nuclear measures once it verifies that all US sanctions are effectively removed. 
It also calls for assurances that future US administrations will not quit the deal again. 
Washington, on the other hand, insists on a mutual return to compliance and says although it is ready to lift the majority of its sanctions, it will maintain those which were imposed on non-nuclear grounds. 
US special envoy for Iran Robert Malley also said recently that it is not possible to bind a future president in the US system of governance and a new administration could tear up the deal again. 
He also said the JCPOA is not the end of diplomacy with Iran and they should build on it, while Iran refuses to negotiate non-nuclear issues. 
Western countries see Iran’s missile activities and regional policies as other sources of concern that need to be negotiated with Iran. 
Tehran says its defensive program is an inalienable right and non-negotiable, while refusing to discuss regional issues with non-regional countries.