Iran’s top diplomat tweets withering criticism of EU countries’ nuclear deal failures

By bne IntelliNews November 12, 2019

European Union member states have failed to fulfil commitments outlined in the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reiterated on November 12 in response to the EU serving notice that the Islamic Republic must stick to the pact or face the consequences.

The foreign ministers of France, Germany and the UK—three countries that like Iran are still signatories to the accord and which are known as the E3—as well as the EU’s foreign policy chief said in a joint statement that they were extremely concerned about Iran ’s latest position on increasing its uranium enrichment, Euronews reported.

“To my EU/E3 Colleagues: 1. ‘Fully upheld commitments under JCPOA’ YOU? Really? Just show ONE that you’ve upheld in the last 18 months. 2. Iran triggered-& exhausted-dispute resolution mechanism while you were procrastinating. We’re now using para36 remedies,” Zarif tweeted, referring to the nuclear agreement by its formal name (JCPOA, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action).

Last week, Iran resumed enrichment at its underground Fordo nuclear facility. Such enrichment is banned under the deal.

"We, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the EU high representative are extremely concerned about Iran’s latest statements regarding the resumption of uranium enrichment activity at the Fordo facility, which the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] confirmed in its November 11 report," the joint statement read.

It noted that "Iran’s actions are contrary to the clear provisions of the JCPOA for Fordo and have potentially dangerous consequences in terms of proliferation".

The statement also emphasised "the importance of the full implementation of the JCPOA by all parties" and expressed "determination to continue all efforts to maintain an agreement that serves the interests of all."

The US pulled out of the accord in May 2018. Attempting to force Iran to sign a stricter agreement, the Trump administration is trying to throttle the country’s economy with sanctions. Tehran says Europe has offered Iran almost no help in shielding its economy from the US “economic war”. The nuclear deal is supposed to guarantee that there will be no heavy international sanctions applied to Iran in return for compliance with measures barring any path the Iranians could take towards the development of a nuclear weapon. When the US pulled out of the agreement, Iran was in full compliance with it.

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