UK Following US Steps in Breaking Promises to Iran: MP

Iranian lawmaker Ardeshir Nourian slammed the UK’s failure to honour its pledges on the contract to sell Iran 900 tonnes of concentrated uranium, also known as yellowcake, saying London is following the US steps in not demonstrating commitment to its Iran promises.

According to a Farsi report by ICANA, commenting on the UK’s lack of commitment to deliver 900 tonnes of yellowcake to Iran, Nourian said, “We do not know much about the details of the deal. However, as stipulated in it, the P5+1 was expected to send a 900-tonne yellowcake cargo to Iran which has been subject to London’s non-fulfilment of its promises.”

Voicing his approval and support for the nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in principle, he added although the JCPOA is a suitable agreement in general, no one should expect it to do a miracle.

“We do not view the deal as a disaster which has stolen Iran’s national glory and undermined its independence. We are required to be fair about it, as the JCPOA is expected to work towards resolving the country’s international issues.”

He said this is while, everyone has to admit that there are other parties to the deal, including the six world powers – signatories to the JCPOA – and a number of states – non-signatories, which play a significant role in the process of implementing the JCPOA.

He stressed that, “Therefore, we are all required to accept the a priori assumption that these signatories and non-signatories, particularly the US and the UK, will adopt measures aimed at safeguarding their interests with regard to the deal. These countries will do their utmost to wriggle out of their commitments on implementing the JCPOA by as long as they can. They even do not acknowledge their lack of commitment [to the agreement].”

Nourian noted that the UK, at times, has failed to display an acceptable behaviour towards Iran, adding London has always maintained an arrogant and self-centred attitude towards Iran and has viewed the country as an opportunity to generate revenues.

“The UK has always sought to champion its own interests in relations with Iran. Nonetheless, the European state has adopted a more moderate approach towards Iran during the periods when it has not been possible for London to gain any benefits from Iran’s relations.”

He stressed that Iran is always required to have countermeasures in place and at its disposal to give proportionate and reciprocal responses to such moves by the P5+1.