The U.S. Secretary of State, while reiterating support for the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers, has stated that since its implementation, Tehran has received $3 billion in cash.
According to the U.S. State Department, John Kerry said on April 19 at a J Street lobby gathering, referring to discussions among U.S. presidential election candidates, “Remember the debates about how much money Iran was going to get?”
He continued, “The candidates incorrectly said $155 billion. Some thought $100 billion. We calculated it; it came to $55 billion in cash. But do you know how much they have actually received?”
The U.S. Secretary of State told J Street conference participants that Iran has received $3 billion in cash since the JCPOA was implemented until today.
Mr. Kerry’s reference to electoral statements goes back to debates and interviews of Republican candidates; for example, Donald Trump, the frontrunner candidate of the party, had said in March of last year that “We gave them (Iran) $150 billion”.
Earlier, Reuters news agency had reported that with the lifting of sanctions, Iran gains access to $100 billion of its frozen assets, most of which has been used to pay its debts.
John Kerry, in early March of last year, had described the cash reaching Iran as “less than $50 billion”.
Mr. Kerry emphasized at the J Street meeting that the nuclear agreement reached with Tehran is the best way to “prevent” Tehran from “obtaining” “nuclear weapons”.
Iran has consistently rejected any attempts to develop nuclear weapons.
John Kerry meanwhile states that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile has been reduced from 1,200 kilograms to 300 kilograms. He added that Tehran previously had two months to “complete the work,” but now “is set back one year, and we have the capability to know which direction they are going”.
The U.S. Secretary of State says that despite some skepticism, “we are now where some thought impossible and others found unacceptable”.
J Street is a liberal pro-Israel lobbying group. While considered a supporter of Israel, it advocates for continued U.S. leadership in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and achieving peace between Israel and its neighbors.
A U.S. State Department spokesman announced Monday that John Kerry traveled to New York to meet with Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s Foreign Minister. The “JCPOA” and “Syrian crisis” have been cited as subjects of the upcoming talks.
Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Ministry had said that Mr. Zarif would meet with Mr. Kerry during his trip to New York and discuss the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with him. In recent days, attacks by conservatives on the nuclear agreement have increased, and Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, has also raised criticisms regarding its implementation.
Source: Radio Farda
