JCPOA Joint Commission Holds Online Meeting

Participants in the webinar discussed the latest developments surrounding the JCPOA.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araqchi was leading the Iranian delegation in the online meeting.

Addressing the videoconference, Araqchi pointed to a series of media comments from Europe over the past days, stressing that the three European governments – the UK, France and Germany – which proclaim to be committed to democracy and its principles should not accordingly expect the Iranian government to disregard the principles of democracy and to refrain from implementing a law ratified by the Iranian Parliament.

“The administration of the Islamic Republic of Iran is committed and obligated to carry out the measures ratified by the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament) after legal procedures,” Araqchi underlined.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister also protested the recent stances adopted by the three European governments, adding, “The three European governments condemned the legal punishment against a convict instead of condemning the brutal assassination of a prominent Iranian nuclear scientist.”

“The European parties always call on Iran alone to exercise self-restraint in the face of all illegal and hostile activities, be it the US sanctions, act of sabotage in Natanz, or the assassination of its nuclear scientists,” he said.

“Iran cannot afford to pay the whole costs of implementation of the JCPOA and the unlawful behaviour of others, and the other parties must also pay a price for saving the JCPOA,” Araqchi noted.

On the speculations about the US’ return to the JCPOA, Araqchi said, “We consider actions rather than words and speculation. Iran has always expressed its stances clearly, and is ready to resume honouring its JCPOA commitments, which have been suspended in accordance with the Articles 26 and 36 of the JCPOA, after the US’ return to its JCPOA commitments and restoration of the situation to what is was in January 2017.”