The implementation of the JCPOA has entered its second year at a time when concerns have emerged sooner than expected over Donald Trump taking power as the US president and his executive order banning the nationals of seven countries from travelling to America as well as the extension of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) and imposition of sanctions on several Iranian and Iran-linked companies.
In a Farsi interview with ISNA, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi expressed his views on whether or not the latest developments would affect the implementation of the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Here are excerpts from his remarks in the interview:
The financial institutions of some countries, especially the US, are not contributing to the implementation of the JCPOA, nor are they doing enough to remove obstacles on the way of confidence-building. Under the JCPOA, the US and other countries have undertaken to implement the deal in good faith. But Washington has proven time and again that it is not doing so.
Iran prepared for every eventuality, whether or not JCPOA implemented
If the new US administration or any other government does not live up to its commitments, Iran knows what to do. Of course, Tehran would like to see the JCPOA implemented well and successfully, and is not seeking to dismantle the deal. Nevertheless, Iran has envisioned plans in case the implementation of the nuclear deal is jeopardized.
Iran has deterrent potentialities and capabilities
If the nuclear deal is breached one way or another, Iran will show appropriate reaction and the JCPOA Implementation Monitoring Committee will make decisions accordingly. You may rest assured that the other parties to the JCPOA (P5+1 group) are well familiar with our capabilities and potential, and will not violate the agreement if they are wise enough.
Major European banks and certain countries not ready yet
Iran is working with many small and medium-sized banks from different countries. The Central Bank of Iran has accounts in many countries and very good relations have been established. But there are a few problems. Some major European banks as well as certain other countries are not yet prepared to work with Iran. Not that there are no relations, but the point is when it comes to practical steps, they act cautiously due to different reasons, namely fear of being subjected to US financial penalties, inconsistency between the international financial system and that of Iran, especially the regulations which have come into force over the past ten years.
No request, so far, to buy dual-purpose materials
So far, we have received no request to purchase dual-purpose goods which can have military applications as well. Orders placed for goods could be affected by problems in Iran-P5+1 ties, or in relations between Tehran and one of P5+1 members. The reason is members of the working group tasked with buying the commodities might oppose the purchase. But provisions have been envisioned in the JCPOA to handle such issues as well.
JCPOA benefited US, other P5+1 members as well as Iran
President Hassan Rouhani said recently that the JCPOA was the result of negotiations in which both sides had a feeling that a mutual agreement would serve the interests of both sides. Otherwise, no deal would have been reached. By this, the president meant the US and other P5+1 members as well as Iran benefited from the JCPOA.
