Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said late on Thursday that the Europeans did not trample upon the JCPOA but they failed to do their part under the deal.
Zarif: Europe failed to fulfill commitments under JCPOA
irna , 8 Feb 2019 - 6:24
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said late on Thursday that the Europeans did not trample upon the JCPOA but they failed to do their part under the deal.
In an exclusive interview with Russia Today, he added that Europeans’ commitments included ensuring purchase of Iran oil and keep up banking relations with Iran, all of which have been mentioned in EU’s May 2018 statement.
Asked whether Europeans’ request for Iran’s joining FATF and talks on its ballistic missiles is a pressure leverage against Tehran and as a condition imposed on the country, he said that Europeans should first fulfill the commitments and they are not in a position to impose their demand on Iran.
Iran remained committed to the nuclear deal and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed Iran’s commitment to the deal and all know that it was the US which withdrew from the JCPOA.
Europeans have many commitments toward Iran and they should fulfill them, he said.
As to FATF, he added that Iran implements all its bills within the framework of local regulations. Iran is a victim of terrorism and it combats money laundering based on local laws.
Placing Iran on FATF blacklist was a mistake from the very beginning, Zarif reiterated.
Elsewhere in his interview, Zarif said Iran’s missiles are for defense purposes and are used only against terrorist groups while EU and US-made weapons have targeted Yemeni, Syrian, Lebanese and Gaza inhabitants.
If the EU wants to impose FATF and talks on missiles on Tehran, it is irrelevant to JCPOA and Iran has many options available.
If the opposing party does not want its commitments under the deal, Iran will have many options at hand that quitting the deal will be one of them.
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