Iran Reaffirms Readiness to Return to Nuclear Deal if All Parties Fulfill Commitments

Tehran, The Gulf Observer: Iran will return to full compliance with the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), provided that all other signatories honor their obligations, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said in an interview with The Guardian published on Sunday.

“No one can say that we welcome the return of sanctions,” Baghaei stated, recalling Iran’s experience with international sanctions between 2006 and 2010 and the lengthy negotiations required to lift them. “It took more than two years to get rid of those sanctions. No rational person or responsible government welcomes their return.”

While emphasizing that Iran has learned to safeguard its dignity and withstand the “unjust war” of economic sanctions, the spokesperson stressed that Tehran would do “everything in our power” to prevent their reimposition. He noted that Iran has remained in contact with European governments, China, Russia, and other members of the UN Security Council, but underscored the necessity of being prepared for “any scenario.”

Baghaei criticized Britain, France, and Germany for what he described as their shift from credible mediators to “a tool for the United States.” He reiterated that Iran had already signaled its readiness in 2019 to resume full compliance with the accord if the European parties and other signatories fulfilled their commitments.

“Our position is still the same: if everyone returns to the JCPOA, we will do so as well,” he affirmed, stressing that the agreement was enshrined in a UN Security Council resolution proposed by the United States and adopted by consensus. “If they had even a minimum of goodwill, they would try to implement their commitments under the JCPOA again and then expect Iran to do the same.”