FM Zarif:

US not committed to JCPOA terms

TEHRAN (defapress) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed different issues in an interview with Charlie Rose at the Asia Society in New York on Thursday morning.

News ID: 66083

Date: 28 September 2017 - 14:29

Iran’s FM said Trump’s remarks in the United Nations General Assembly was a violation of JCPOA and added the US is not committed to JCPOA; Trump’s remarks which were uttered not in an election campaign, but in the UNGA were a violation of JCPOA terms.

Zarif went on to say the agreement has been reached. Now the US wants to decide whether to withdraw or stay. The US must make a strategic decision and show the international community whether they are a trustworthy partner or not. Those who negotiate with this country must consider the commitment of the next government to the agreements in the next four years. There are many agreements and treaties not adopted by the American congress, but JCPOA is not one of them, rather it is a Security Council resolution.

On Iran’s response to Trump’s exit from JCPOA he said: "we will make the right decision based on the circumstances.”

Regarding relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran’s foreign minister held that Saudi Arabia has and influential role in the region which must be held with respect. Iran is not deluded with disregarding the country in the region. In return, Riyadh must forget the delusion of removing Tehran from the region. "To the former foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, I said Iran is ready for regional cooperation, and in response he said Arab region is none of your concern. But I answered it is related to us, because we are in the same region and must work together for its security.”

When asked about Iran’s missile program, Zarif said "Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates spent 67 and 14 billion dollars on buying weapons respectively. Iran’s defensive budget is 6 billion dollars.”