IRGC Commander: US Not Trustworthy

Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari underlined that the US move to discard the internationally-endorsed 2015 nuclear deal with Iran proved to the world states that they should not trust Washington.

News ID: 70157

Date: 13 May 2018 - 21:27

TEHRAN (Defapress)- "Today, we are again witnessing that the US untrustworthiness has been proved. The US measure has been adopted to break Iran's resistance and it is not a new thing and we have been for years witnessing the enemies' evil intentions, therefore, we should rely on ourselves," General Jafari said, addressing a ceremony in Tehran on Sunday.

He stressed that self-reliance brings Iran independence from western and European states, meantime, saying that Tehran has given Europe an opportunity to provide it with necessary guarantees to meet its interests by continued commitment to the nuclear deal.

In relevant remarks last Wednesday, General Jafari underlined that the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is clear, and the European Union lacks the needed power to take independent decisions before consulting with Washington.

"Europeans, are unable to make choices independent from the US; the JCPOA's future is clear; Iran will achieve development only through domestic capabilities,” General Jafari said in reaction to US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the JCPOA.

"Once again Americans proved they are unreliable and do not live up to their promises," he added.

General Jafari reiterated that the issue of nuclear enrichment was an excuse, and said that the US withdrawal from the deal indicated the country’s concerns over Iran’s defense capabilities and its resistance against extremism and terrorism.

"Before the Islamic Revolution, Iran’s military might depended on the United States, however, after the Islamic Revolution, our power shifted to relying on the efficient manpower and domestic military equipment, specially missile power.

His remarks came as President Hassan Rouhani ordered the foreign ministry to ask China, Russia and European states to provide Iran with objective and practical guarantees to ensure that Iran would receive the promised merits under the deal after the recent pullout from the agreement.

President Rouhani made the remarks, addressing a meeting of the government's economic headquarters in Tehran on Saturday.

He added that the talks should also include the necessities for continuing the nuclear deal.

Upon the order, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif traveled to China on Sunday and will then visit Russia.

The politico-economic expert talks between Iran and the European states are also due to be held in Brussels on Tuesday.

Trump announced last Tuesday that the US would no longer remain part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and promised to re-impose the highest level of economic sanctions against Iran in response to Tehran's development of its nuclear program.

After Trump's declaration, President Rouhani said he has ordered his atomic chief to stay on alert to resume suspended nuclear activities, stressing that Tehran will stay in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with other signatories if only other parties to the deal ensure all its interests and economic merits.

While stressing that Trumps decision was a historical experience for Iran, Rouhani noted that the US president has a history of undermining international treaties. Rouhani also noted that Iran would remain in the nuclear deal without the US' presence for the next few weeks to see results of negotiations with Europeans.

Rouhani added that he has ordered the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) to be prepared for resuming nuclear enrichment at the industrial level.

"I have ordered AEOI to go ahead with adequate preparations to resume enrichment at the industrial level without any limit," he said.

He further added that from now on everything depends on Iran's national interests.

"Trump's decision was the beginning of a psychological war against Iran, our heroic people will not be affected by this psychological attack," said Rouhani.

Rouhani also noted that from now on the JCPOA is between Iran and the five remaining countries, but stressed that Iran would stay under the deal if all its interests are met.

He further noted that the Iranian Foreign Ministry would be negotiating with European countries, Russia, and China in the coming weeks.

Also, Zarif responded to Trump's move, referring to it as "unlawful", while adding that the outcome of further diplomatic efforts will determine Iran's response.

In response to US persistent violations and unlawful withdrawal from the nuclear deal, as instructed by President Rouhani, I'll spearhead a diplomatic effort to examine whether remaining JCPOA participants can ensure its full benefits for Iran. Outcome will determine our response.

"In response to US persistent violations & unlawful withdrawal from the nuclear deal, as instructed by President Rouhani, I'll spearhead a diplomatic effort to examine whether remaining JCPOA participants can ensure its full benefits for Iran. Outcome will determine our response," he tweeted.

The European Union, France, Britain and Germany have expressed regret over Trump's decision about the deal.

Iran has on numerous occasions asserted that its nuclear program is merely peaceful and not meant to make nukes.

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