Trump’s opposition to JCOPA is opposition to int’l community: Araqch

He said that the US President Donald Trump’s opposition to JCPOA is tantamount to opposing the international community.

Talking to Iranian reporters in London on Thursday, he added that upholding JCPOA is duty of all countries involved in the multilateral pact and the entire international community.

“JCPOA is not an agreement between Iran and six countries; rather it is an international deal belonging to the entire international community,” he said, arguing that Trump’s opposition to JCPOA is in fact opposing the international community and this explains why he has been isolated and his attempts to rip up the deal have failed.

While campaigning for the White House, Trump vowed to rip up the JCPOA but he was unsuccessful despite lapse of one and half a year since it took effect.

Trump’s failure in this respect reveals JCPOA’s interior and exterior solidity as well as support of the JCPOA parties and the international community for the deal, Araqchi said, noting that of course, US pressures on the countries has put the deal in a difficult situation, but European states have so far adopted suitable approach regarding the deal.

Asked about Europeans’ view on what Washington sees as shortcomings of the JCPOA and recent call by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for setting up an American-European working group, he said that Europeans deny establishment of a working group and they claim that they have only held consultations with the US.

“Setting up of a working group is not significant to us. What is important is that all remain committed to their side in the deal,” the Iranian diplomat said.

Reiterating Iran’s stance on the deal, he said that until the time Iran benefits from it, it will continue to stay in the deal.

However, the fact is that Iran has achieved its interests via the deal remarkably but not in full, Araqchi said.

As to his visit to London, he said that the trip takes place within the framework of periodical political dialogues hosted by London.

Such negotiations will be held alternately in Tehran and London and the latest round was held in London, he said.

“We are in a situation to regularly discuss JCPOA, as developments surrounding the deal are on a daily basis,” he said, noting he held good talks with British officials in the respect.

There is common stance between Iran and EU that JCPOA is non-negotiable, but there are differences regarding the steps that should be taken in future, Araqchi said, noting that given the US policies on JCPOA, regular consultations are needed.

Describing his meeting with British Deputy Minister Alistair Burt as positive, he said that banking cooperation was also discussed during the session.

Commenting on the achievements of the JCPOA, he said Iran is winner of the JCPOA. Of course it faces problems in banking sector and big projects due to US acts of obstructionism.

Through the deal, he said that Iran proved to the world that its nuclear activities are legitimate, as the world has accepted Iran’s nuclear program.
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