Kharrazi:

Trump’s Call for Talks with Iran Nothing but Propaganda

TEHRAN (defapress) – Head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations Kamal Kharrazi dismissed US President Donald Trump’s recent claim that he was ready to speak with Iranian leaders, saying his calls for negotiation are nothing but propaganda.

News ID: 77349

Date: 12 May 2019 - 12:10

Speaking at a meeting with a number of officials at some major French think thanks in Paris on Saturday, Kharrazi pointed to Trump’s move to withdraw the US from the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and said, “Trump showed that he not only has no respect for the signature of the previous US administration but also violates UN Security Council resolution 2231 and other international commitments.”

“Trump's moves to walk away from the JCPOA and impose a variety of cruel sanctions against the Iranian nation have left no room for trust and negotiation,” he stressed.

“Trump’s calls for negotiation with (Iran) are made with the aim of propaganda exploitation (of the situation) and do not merit attention,” the official went on to say.

Trump said on Thursday that he was ready to speak with Iranian leaders and come to an understanding that would allow the country to improve its economic prospects. "What I'd like to see with Iran, I'd like to see them call me."

"I look forward to the day where we can actually help Iran. We're not looking to hurt Iran,” Trump added.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) issued a statement on Wednesday, saying Iran is no longer fulfilling some of its obligations under the JCPOA, and setting a two-month deadline for the remaining parties to fulfill their undertakings.

“At the current stage, we are not committed to complying with restrictions on the keeping enriched uranium reserves and heavy water supplies,” the SNSC stated.

The statement came a few days after the US administration renewed five of seven sanctions waivers that allow Russia and European nations to conduct civilian nuclear cooperation with Iran but revoked the other two as part of its pressure campaign against Tehran.

Washington also stopped issuing waivers to buy Iranian crude oil on May 2.

Before the US moves, Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, had warned against their consequences.

On May 8, 2018, US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the JCPOA.

Following the US withdrawal, Iran and the remaining parties launched talks to save the accord.

The European Union has vowed to counter Trump’s renewed sanctions on Iran, including by means of a new law to shield European companies from punitive measures, but it has so far failed to do anything beyond making statements.

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