Western Parties Warned Against Any Irrational Move on JCPOA

Tehran would react to any illogical measure by western parties to the 2015 nuclear deal regarding the agreement and negotiations to revive it, a senior Iranian diplomat said. 
“If the other parties make a miscalculation and take irrational measures on the JCPOA and the course of negotiations, they know clearly what Iran’s reaction would be based on messages they have already received,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said at a regular press briefing on Monday, ISNA reported. 
He did not elaborate, but added that this message is clear enough. 
The remarks came in response to reports about the three European powers’ recent meeting with members of the United Nations Security Council about a possible resort to the dispute resolution mechanism envisioned in the 2015 nuclear deal.
The measure could culminate in a so-called snapback of international sanctions against Tehran. 
The UNSC lifted global sanctions on Iran after the Islamic Republic agreed to restrict its nuclear activities under the landmark deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
The United States, however, reimposed a sweeping set of unilateral sanctions after withdrawing from the JCPOA in 2018, forcing Tehran to react by scaling down its commitments. 
Negotiations began in early 2021 in the Austrian capital Vienna to restore the agreement, but have been stalled since last August over final differences. 
Kanaani said the fact that negotiating sessions are not being held does not mean there is a complete stagnation or absence of diplomatic efforts to resurrect the JCPOA. 
“The path of talks is still open and the exchange of messages continues … through different channels],” he said. 
He reiterated that Iran is ready to conclude the negotiations within the framework of its red lines, stressing that this avenue will not remain open forever. 
Nevertheless, European parties, namely France, Germany and Britain, known as the E3, seem to be considering other alternatives. 
Two weeks ago, they invited ten select members of the UN Security Council to inform them of consultations about triggering the snapback mechanism of the UNSCR 2231 to restore UN sanctions on Iran in case it exceeds nuclear red lines, according to some western sources. 
Russia’s representative to Vienna-based organizations referred to the move in a tweet, saying the US and the E3 have decided to dismantle the JCPOA. 
“Every day they delay the resumption of the #ViennaTalks brings us closer to the point of no return,” he said.
Experts, however, believe that Europe is attempting to make a credible threat rather than deciding to use the mechanism. 

Technical Course 

Kanaani was also asked about reports in the western media about Tehran’s lack of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency on recent agreements. 
He dismissed the claim, saying all agreed measures are being taken step by step. 
The agency reported early this year that it had detected particles of enriched uranium of around 84% in Iran, very close to weapons grade which is around 90%.
Tehran says unintended fluctuations in enrichment levels are normal during the process, stressing that the end product is what should be assessed. 
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi traveled to Tehran in March at the head of a delegation to discuss the ambiguities. 
The two sides agreed on a joint agenda for measures to facilitate bilateral cooperation and clear the misunderstandings. 
Western reporters have been citing unnamed sources in recent weeks that Iran is slow-walking the reinstallation of equipment it had promised back in March. 
Kanaani said Iran does not consider such media reports helpful. 
“We advise the agency to avoid raising technical issues in the media and allow them to proceed in their natural and technical course,” he said. 
The US and European powers had expressed alarm at the production of the tiny amount of highly-enriched uranium in Iran, but refrained from pushing for a resolution condemning the Islamic Republic at the IAEA board meeting in March.
They made clear, however, that they could act at a future session.
Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami had said at the time that in case a resolution was passed against Iran by the IAEA board, relevant officials would decide on an appropriate response and the AEOI would act accordingly. 
Tehran has reacted to previous formal rebukes by stepping up its nuclear work or restricting the oversight of IAEA inspectors.