Iran to take second step towards reduction of its commitments within JCPOA

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Iran is going to take the second step towards the reduction of its commitments within JCPOA, with uranium enrichment exceeding the %3.67 percent limit.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Iran will take the second step towards the reduction of its commitments to the JCPOA , adding Iran's enrichment level will soon surpass the %3.67 limit allowed by the nuclear deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sent a letter on Sunday to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini saying Iran will no longer be committed to the articles of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that defines a limit for Iranian uranium enrichment, reported Iran Press.

Today is the last day of a 60-day window of opportunity given to the Europeans and since Iran has not gained what it expects from its JCPOA commitments, it is to start the second phase of reducing its commitments, said Araghchi

"The procedure may end in Iran's withdrawal from the deal, which is not what we want; but the sanctions of the US and lack of commitment by the other parties have led us here," said Araghchi elaborating on reducing Iranian commitments to the JCPOA.

He added that the move, of course, is in a way that there is a chance for diplomacy and interaction during the period and if the chance is not used, no one should doubt that Iran's decision to reduce commitments will go on.

"The JCPOA is an international document that recognises Iran as a powerful country that has nuclear, heavy water and enrichment technology. We want the JCPOA to continue; however, our, demands from the document must be met. Otherwise, we will incrementally reduce our commitments to it, and if the Europeans do not satisfy our demands, we will take steps toward that."

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on Sunday, Araghchi elaborated on Iran's new decisions regarding its commitments to the JCPOA. The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi went on to say it is ironic the US which withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has asked Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to act on what Washington calls a violation of the agreement by Iran, although US violated JCPOA itself. Araghchi also said the US demand from IAEA vis-a-vis Iran is like a bitter joke.

He also said that surely, the countries will hear Iran's logic. Tehran gave them a year-long opportunity for diplomacy. Iran's move is in the framework of the deal; Iran has invoked its right as per Articles 26 and 36 of the accord. Iran sent its demands to the joint commission; the other party has failed to honour its commitments, which led to Iran's reduced commitments.

Referring to President Hassan Rouhani and French President Emmanuel Macron's phone call, he said that it was 'constructive', and added that the inclination of the Europeans, China and Russia to find a solution is clearly seen, though the US sanctions and pressures have worsened the situation.

Asked about the recent meeting of the JPCOA joint commission in Vienna, Araghchi said that the road for diplomacy is open, but any settlement to the dispute should meet Iran's demands.

Regarding the EU's trade mechanism for Iran, INSTEX, aimed at easing trade transactions with the Islamic Republic in the face of US sanctions, Araghchi said that Iran has not pinned its hope on INSTEX.

Responding to the Iran Press correspondent's question about INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges) and the possibility of not benefiting from it by selling oil, he said: "Islamic Republic does not count on any specific country, let alone Europeans and INSTEX."

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister pointedly said: "We have done it before and we will do it again. We will force the US to come to the negotiating table, we will dash their hopes, we will disappoint them, their sanctions will not work, and they will be forced to come to the negotiating table."

Under sanctions, we use any opportunity to our benefit. We should not have high hopes for INSTEX, if it becomes operational, and if it helps us we shall use it," Abbas Araghchi added.

"During the US economic war against Iran, we use any channel that can help us. The main channels that Iran's foreign ministry could have opened is through Russia, China, Turkey, India, and our neighbouring countries. We are in communication with our trading partners and we have recommended to them to use regional currencies. There are many initiatives, one of them is related to the EU and the other one is related to INSTEX," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister said.

"We should stand in resistance economy mechanism. The Islamic Republic has gained legitimacy and dignity in the world because we decently engaged in international dialogue, signed the nuclear agreement with decency and then put it in action," he noted.

"Even when Iran's benefits from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) stayed at the lowest degree, the Islamic Republic stayed committed to the agreement," Abbas Araghchi added.

"We have created some opportunities with our strategic patience. Countries which have relations with Iran are trying to lessen the effects of the US sanctions," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister concluded.

"We will definitely not let the US achieves its goals by using its maximum pressures strategy. We will make the US hopeless and desperate in this regard", Seyyed Abbas Araghchi responded to Iran press correspondent's question in a press conference in Tehran on Sunday, Iran Press reported.

The news conference was held in Tehran with the attendance of Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and the spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Behrouz Kamalvandi and the government Spokesman Ali Rabie.

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