Iran:

Supplementing JCPOA Impossible

TEHRAN (defapress)- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi renewed his country's firm opposition to any changes to the nuclear agreement signed between Tehran and the world powers in July 2015.

News ID: 67523

Date: 15 December 2017 - 20:20

"The nuclear deal is not renegotiable and also it's not possible to open and add anything else to it," Araqchi said.

"Tehran was fully prepared for a possible US withdrawal from the agreement; it's up to the US government and Mr. Trump; if he feels that the Middle East will be a better place without (the nuclear deal), then he can try it," he added.

Araqchi's remarks came after Trump refused in October to certify that Iran was complying with the accord under a domestic US law and directed his administration “to work closely with the US Congress and our allies to address the deal’s many serious flaws.”

Araqchi emphasized that the nuclear deal was unanimously endorsed by the United Nations Security Council and that the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly confirmed Iran’s full commitment to its side of the bargain.

The Iranian diplomat further accused Washington of violating the spirit of the accord by creating an atmosphere of "confusion" and "uncertainty" around it, which has kept foreign companies at bay and frightened investors.

Araqchi touched on the back and forth between Trump and the US Congress, saying "this has nothing to do with us. What is important for us is US full compliance."

The US Congress on Tuesday missed a deadline set by Trump to re-impose sanctions on Iran that were lifted under the JCPOA, as the nuclear accord is officially called.

Now, Trump has until mid-January to decide whether to waive the anti-Iran sanctions or risk terminating the nuclear pact by imposing new measures.

The JCPOA was reached between Iran and the six world powers in July 2015 and took effect in January 2016.

Under the accord, Iran undertook to apply certain limits to its nuclear program in exchange for the termination of all nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran.

Other parties to the deal, along with the entire international community, have voiced firm support for the JCPOA, warning Washington against attempts at undermining the landmark deal.