“US, Europe First Losers of Iran Deal’s Termination”

Iranian parliamentarian Valiollah Nanvakenari has weighed in on Washington’s possible pullout from the agreement in an interview with the Persian-language Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency (ICANA).

“The odds of the US withdrawing from the JCPOA are very slim because the first losers of pullout from the JCPOA would be the Americans and Europeans. That’s why the Europeans are seeking to prevent the agreement from falling apart,” said Nanvakenari, who sits on Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission.

“Still, the Americans dithering on whether or not to scuttle the deal showed some behaviour that would suggest [their inclination for] withdrawal from the JCPOA. However, they don’t do it (pull out of the deal) in practice because such a move would be met with reaction from the public opinion,” said he MP.

He noted that Iran should adopt a “unified” position both inside and outside the country to give a firm response to whatever negative action they might take.

“[A position of] power and an active diplomacy are among the stances that Iran will adopt vis-à-vis the Americans’ decisions,” said the parliamentarian.

He said Iran should adopt its stances prudently, adding Tehran will adopt such positions only when the US seeks to scupper the JCPOA. Otherwise, said the MP, Iran will treat them on an equal footing and will remain committed to its obligations.

“Changes in the White House and the installation of officials who are opposed to Iran will not lead to a withdrawal from the JCPOA,” the lawmaker stressed.

“The Americans will not easily do an unwise action because such a move will be to their detriment,” he said.

“By putting forward new issues and making changes both inside and outside [the country], the US is seeking pretexts to get involved in new issues, so that it will be able to speak of holding a dialogue on the missile issue; therefore, Iran should respond to their negative moves vigilantly, so that they won’t be able to move forward,” the lawmaker added.