Zarif: Europeans are moving in the right direction to preserve the JCPOA
The Iranian foreign minister says that the Europeans' efforts to preserve the nuclear deal "are not as much as we expected, but we believe they are moving in the right direction." Regarding possible negotiations with the US administration, Zarif also said that such a thing is "not taboo" but that "no party wants to enter into a time-consuming, tense, and fruitless process."
In an interview with the IRNA news agency published on August 8, Mohammad Javad Zarif stated that the EU’s proposed package to preserve the JCPOA after the US withdrawal “has clear outlines.” According to Mr. Zarif, these outlines include “a banking route for Iranian financial transactions” or “selling Iranian oil at the current level.”
Donald Trump, a staunch opponent of the JCPOA, signed an order on Monday to reimpose the first phase of sanctions on Iran, which went into effect on Tuesday. The next phase of sanctions, which were also reflected in the Iranian foreign minister's remarks, on oil sales, is expected to be implemented in November.
Zarif says that the Europeans have done extensive work [to preserve the JCPOA] not only within the European Union, but also outside the Union.
Unlike the United States, the European Union wanted to preserve the nuclear deal and expressed regret after the US withdrew from the JCPOA. However, not long ago, the international advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Republic criticized Europe's "contradictory behavior" regarding the JCPOA, and Mr. Zarif himself said that the EU's political support was "not enough" and that it should "take more practical steps."
In an interview with IRNA, the Iranian Foreign Minister spoke about some of the European Union's measures, including "activating small and medium-sized companies," as well as "consultations to revive the law preventing the implementation of sanctions," and "issuing a license for the European Investment Bank." These issues have also been raised in statements by some senior EU officials.
On Tuesday, the EU's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said the bloc was encouraging small and medium-sized companies to increase their trade with Iran. The EU's budget and human resources commissioner, Günther Oettinger, said the same day that German banks had the capacity to resolve the Iran issue despite US sanctions.
The comments come as Donald Trump has warned against sanctions being ignored. The US president wrote on his Twitter account that “anyone doing business with Iran will not be doing business with the United States.” Trump has stressed that the sanctions on Iran are the “most stinging” sanctions ever imposed and that another round will be implemented in November.
"We believe that a significant part of [the EU's] commitments must be implemented before the oil and banking sanctions are implemented," Zarif said.
The US Treasury Department has said it will reimpose sanctions on Iran in two phases. The second round of sanctions, which will mainly target Iran’s oil industry, is set to take effect on November 4. US officials say they are trying to bring Iran’s oil exports close to zero by then.
"Negotiation is not taboo, but it has requirements"
In an interview with IRNA, the Iranian Foreign Minister once again brought up statements made in recent days by some officials of the Islamic Republic that a possible negotiation with the US government "has certain requirements," but "the issue is to what extent these negotiations can be confidently advanced to a conclusion."
Mr. Zarif says that holding possible talks with the United States is "not taboo," but "no side wants to enter into a time-consuming, tense, and fruitless process."
He also said that as far as he knows, there is currently no dialogue between the two countries. Zarif, of course, added in another part of his speech, "There will definitely be messages from countries for mediation" and "If someone goes to tell the Americans to be tactful, no one will oppose them, but whether there are direct talks between Iran and the United States or whether messages have been exchanged in this regard, as far as I know, this has not happened, and I think my information is not too bad."
This explanation was raised in response to a question related to reports of Oman's mediation between Tehran and Washington; Oman's actions have also been reported before.
US President Donald Trump has said he is willing to sit down with the Iranian president without preconditions. In similar remarks, he stressed that this ultimately depends on the Islamic Republic's officials. The US Secretary of State has also said: "If the Iranians show a commitment to make fundamental changes in the way they treat their own people, reduce their destructive behavior in the region, and enter into an agreement that truly prevents the spread of nuclear weapons, then the president has said he is ready to sit down with them and talk."
In response to these remarks, the Iranian Foreign Minister said, "Trump announces negotiations without preconditions, and then two hours after his announcement, the US Secretary of State announces three unquestionable conditions for negotiations."
Yesterday, the US State Department spokesperson emphasized during his press conference that the US government is willing to negotiate with the Iranian government, but Washington is seeking a commitment from Tehran to make fundamental changes in its behavior.
Heather Nauert has said that her country is seeking a new agreement with Iran that covers not only nuclear issues but also what she describes as “the Iranian regime’s destabilizing behavior.” She has cited Iran’s missile program, “the Islamic Republic’s support for terrorism,” and “destructive regional behavior.” Iran denies “supporting terrorism” and says it does not interfere in regional countries. The Islamic Republic does not hide its support for some groups that Washington considers “terrorist,” such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Source: Radio Farda
