Zarif and Araghchi: America’s Opportunity to Preserve JCPOA is Running Out

As the deadline approaches for Iran’s parliament to halt implementation of the Additional Protocol, Iran’s foreign minister and his deputy warned the United States in separate statements. If sanctions are not lifted by the third of Esfand, Iran will take the next step.

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s Foreign Minister, in a statement issued on the occasion of the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution’s victory, warned the United States to take a fresh approach toward Iran by making use of the new administration’s opportunity, otherwise according to him “the current window is closing”.

Zarif said in this statement: “Very soon my government will be forced to take new compensatory measures in response to the regrettable non-compliance of the United States and Europe with their obligations under the nuclear agreement. These compensatory measures, as determined by our parliament and in accordance with our rights within the JCPOA framework, include expanding our nuclear program and reducing our cooperation with inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency.”

Iran’s parliament approved the general outlines of a plan in December titled “Strategic Action to Counter Sanctions” which stipulates that if U.S. sanctions against Iran are not lifted within two months after the final approval of this plan, Iran will suspend voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol. This deadline ends on the third of Esfand (February 21).

Zarif emphasized in his statement that the only way to prevent this from happening is for the United States to fully return to the JCPOA.

Araghchi Takes Similar Position

Abbas Araghchi, Zarif’s political deputy, also warned the Biden administration in a discussion with a Chinese television network that time is running out to preserve the JCPOA. He clarified that Iran is prepared to swiftly return to its commitments after all U.S. sanctions are lifted.

The Islamic Republic began phased suspension of its commitments in 2019, one year after the United States withdrew from the JCPOA. Currently, Iran is engaged in 20 percent uranium enrichment and uranium metal production, both of which violate the nuclear agreement.

According to the latest statements by Biden administration officials, the United States wants the Islamic Republic to take the first step by returning to its JCPOA commitments.

When asked which side should ultimately take the first step, Araghchi said: “The situation is completely clear. It was not Iran that left the JCPOA; it was the United States that withdrew from this agreement. The United States decided to stop its participation in the JCPOA. They left the table and reapplied sanctions. They even imposed new sanctions against Iran. Now, if their policy is to return to the JCPOA and become a JCPOA member again, they must lift the sanctions.”

Araghchi stressed that Iran’s measures were reactions to the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and violation of the agreement. However, he said these measures were within the JCPOA framework and based on Article 36 of this agreement.

Article 36 of the JCPOA addresses the “mechanism for resolving disputes” between parties.

Negotiations Over Missile Program; Absolutely Not

The United States and European countries have said that in new negotiations with Iran, the issue of the Islamic Republic’s missile program and Iran’s involvement in regional countries should also be discussed.

Abbas Araghchi completely rejected the possibility of talks on issues other than Iran’s nuclear program and said: “Absolutely not…the JCPOA is only about Iran’s nuclear program and has two pillars which include restrictions on our peaceful nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions, and that’s it.”

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister clarified that not negotiating over other topics was an agreement and consensus of all parties in the JCPOA.

He continued: “We are not willing to engage in other issues including regional matters and our defense capabilities, especially since the United States has proven to be an unreliable party in negotiations and the Europeans have proven unable to fulfill their promises.”

Not Much Time Remains

Abbas Araghchi, referring to the deadline set by parliament, said: “If sanctions are not lifted before that date (the third of Esfand), we have no choice but to implement the decision that has been made, which means suspending the Additional Protocol, and this means that the number of inspections and the number of international inspectors in Iran will decrease.”

At the same time, he emphasized that Iran will remain in the NPT and will maintain its agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency and inspectors will continue their work in Iran, but “not to the extent of the Additional Protocol which allows them”.

The Additional Protocol gives IAEA inspectors the ability to conduct snap inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites.

Araghchi considered the remaining time until the end of parliament’s deadline (the third of Esfand) very short because after that comes the Nowruz holidays, and after the Nowruz holidays, the preparations for the presidential election in June begin.

According to him: “Everyone knows that during election campaigns, no one prefers to negotiate, so we have very limited time.”

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, emphasizing that the Biden administration must decide very soon, said: “We are not in a hurry, but the new U.S. administration must adjust its policies regarding the JCPOA very quickly. Otherwise, this opportunity may be lost.”

Source: DW