‘US Trying to Minimize Iran’s Benefits under JCPOA’

“The United States has always tried to minimize the benefits of the Iran nuclear deal for the Islamic Republic,” Araqchi said in an address to Iranian lawmakers on Wednesday, while presenting a report on the trend of the implementation of the nuclear deal.

He said Washington’s non-compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA has been aimed at keeping Iran from reaping the benefits of the agreement as much as possible.

Araqchi stressed that the US is obliged to make good on its commitments under the JCPOA, but reneges on its obligations.

“Breaches of promises by the new US administration have considerably increased in recent months,” he noted.

He said both the previous and incumbent US administrations have nursed ill intentions regarding the JCPOA.

The deputy foreign minister further said Iran stands ready to counter any possible US scenario regarding the JCPOA, saying Tehran has envisioned the necessary measures and actions to deal with any US move on the agreement.

He said Washington has adopted numerous measures which run counter to the letter and spirit of the JCPOA, including restrictions on the issuance of visas in the previous US administration, passing restrictive banking regulations, insistence on and ratcheting up non-nuclear sanctions, hostile and provocative remarks by the new US president, and efforts to pressure the International Atomic Energy Agency over Iran’s nuclear program.