Iran Censures EU3’s Unconstructive Statement on JCPOA Talks

In a statement on Saturday night, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani deplored the unconstructive statement from the European troika –France, the UK and Germany- regarding the sanctions removal talks, which he said is in breach of goodwill.

Kanaani said it is surprising and regrettable that under the current circumstances when diplomatic interactions and exchange of messages continue between the negotiating sides and the coordinator of the Vienna talks to finalize the negotiations, the EU3 issues such a communiqué in a move that deviates from the path of the fruitful approach, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.

The spokesman pointed to Iran’s goodwill and serious resolve to finalize a deal, saying the progress made in the talks at many junctures, including the recent one, was because of the initiatives and ideas put forth by Iran.

Kanaani warned the European sides against being influenced by propaganda waged by the third parties that were against the negotiations from the very beginning and are now making their utmost to cause the talks to fail.

It is unfortunate that with their ill-advised statement, the three European countries are following in the footsteps of the Zionist regime to push the talks toward failure, and obviously, if this approach continues, they should also accept responsibility for its consequences, he said.

Kanaani pointed to the passive approach of the European sides in recent months and also their improper and politically-motivated action to pave the way for the anti-Iran resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors. He advised the European troika to play a more active role in order to resolve the remaining issues instead of trying to scuttle the process of negotiations.

He then pointed to the record of cooperation and constructive interaction from the Islamic Republic of Iran as a responsible member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty with the IAEA.

Kanaani once again underlined the need to avoid politicizing the nuclear matter and making baseless accusations against Iran, saying it’s regrettable that the European troika, on the one hand, throws their full support behind a regime that possesses hundreds of atomic warheads and is not committed to any non-proliferation regime and, on the other hand, wages propaganda against Iran’s peaceful nuclear program that has been subject to the most thorough inspections.

The foreign ministry spokesman also urged the European countries to redress their failure to fulfill their commitments toward the Iranian people, cautioning them against resorting to threats. Kanaani stressed that all those who ignorantly think they, through threats and sanctions, can dissuade the Iranian people from fully pursuing their rights and achieving their interests must learn a lesson from the US’s maximum defeat in its maximum pressure campaign.

He underscored that Iran is still ready and resolved to finalize a deal and believes that if the other sides have the required determination and avoid being influenced by outside pressures, it is possible to swiftly reach an agreement.