Iran says the United States cannot submit requests regarding the JCPOA

Tehran, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Monday that the United States can neither ascribe statements to participants of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal nor have requests regarding the deal, as it has ceased participation to it, IRNA reported.

Speaking in his weekly press conference, Khatibzadeh said that the composition of Iran’s negotiating team in the talks to remove sanctions against the Iranian nation was the same as before in terms of legal titles although new people have been appointed to the posts.

 Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri would lead Iran’s negotiating team that also includes representatives from entities relevant to the issue of sanctions, according to Khatibzadeh.

On the statements made by the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan that the US would do the same if Iran returned to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the spokesman said that Iran was happy that the Americans repeatedly reaffirmed their intention; and that’s perhaps because they didn’t want to forget that they wanted to remove illegal sanctions imposed by the previous US administration and continued – and even added on- by the current administration.

However, Khatibzadeh said, what is important is the action and whatever has been seen from the current US administration in action has been in contrast with their stated direction.

The US path back to the JCPOA is clear, he noted, adding that they have to accept to reverse their course as the one to be blamed for the current situation with the JCPOA.

Raghda Sawas