China, Russia voice support for Iran to uphold the pact
WEB DESK
Iran has pulled out of some commitments under the 2015 international nuclear deal, a year after it was abandoned by the US. Iranian news agency IRNA says, the country will stop curbing its stocks of enriched uranium and the heavy water needed by certain types of reactor to ensure that nuclear fission can take place.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the measure was necessary to secure its rights and bring back balance. It added that the remaining parties to the deal are given 60 days to implement their commitments, in particular in the fields of banking and oil.
Iran’s new decision will be conveyed to the ambassadors of E3+2 (the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China) by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi.
The ambassadors will be invited to Foreign Ministry and will be informed of Iran’s new decision.
President Hassan Rouhani will also write separate letters to the E3+2 leaders on Wednesday saying Iran exercised restraint over the past year, but the other parties to the deal failed to adhere to their commitments so that Iran had no other way but to reduce its commitments under the deal.
In completion of President Rouhani’s letters, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will write a letter to EU Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini to announce the technical and legal details of Iran’s new decision to reduce its commitments.
The text of the letters will be among the confidential documents of JCPOA Joint Commission, but the news about them will be published.
What Iran specifically wants is to return to banking and oil trade conditions before US exit from the deal on May 8, 2017.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran in a statement emphasized its strong support for Tehran’s move to reduce its nuclear obligations.
Referring to the global powers’ commitment to lifting the sanctions imposed after signing the JCPOA in 2015, the statement stated on Wednesday that during last years, the Islamic Republic has consistently shown that it has complied with all its obligations that the results of inspections and the approval of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the peaceful activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran is a proof of this.
The statement of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, referring to the violation of JCPOA by the United States and the lack of effective actions by the European parties in fulfilling their commitments towards Iran, emphasized that ‘under such circumstances, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a decision based on three principles of dignity, wisdom and expediency’, has made operational the reduction of its nuclear commitments and is determined to take appropriate measures to protect the rights of the nation of Iran with full authority.’
In its statement, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, while expressing its supporting of this decision, assured the Iranian people that, by relying on the authority of the system and internal power, the strengthening and consolidation of the power and the more attention paid to the economic resistance it will pass from this difficult juncture and once again frustrates the enemy in pursuit of cruel goals.
The statement, referring to the full and vigorous readiness of the armed forces to protect the Islamic Republic of Iran, warned the enemies that any possible move would face a regrettable response from the nation and the armed forces.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced that Tehran reduced its commitments under the nuclear deal formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The deal was signed by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council in 2015 plus Germany, but Washington unilaterally pulled out of it last year.
Rouhani said the decision has been taken after a year of inactiveness of the deal’s European signatories who had pledged to devise mechanisms for neutralizing the adverse effects of the withdrawal on Iran’s interests.
Iran has given a 60-day deadline to the European signatories to reverse the situation; otherwise, Tehran would take more steps in modifying its commitments.
The Council was referring to the commitment made by Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia to lift sanctions on Iran in return for it curbing its nuclear activities. Meanwhile, China has called on all parties to uphold the Iranian nuclear pact.
China said it resolutely opposes unilateral US sanctions against Iran. Russia also denounced US pressure and said it stood by the Iran nuclear deal. However, Britain has called Iran’s decision an unwelcome step that could lead to new Western sanctions.