Impact of EU Exit From JCPOA Would Be Insignificant

EghtesadOnline: Europe's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal would have no considerable impact on Iran, as its apparent adherence has not brought any economic relief to the country, a former diplomat said.

News ID: ۷۴۸۵۸۲

30 September 2019

Ramin Mehmanparast, a former Foreign Ministry spokesman, made the comment in response to a recent article published by the Guardian claiming that Europe has warned Iran it will be forced to start withdrawing from the nuclear deal in November, if Tehran goes ahead with its threat to take new steps away from the deal.

The British newspaper also claims that the warning was pre-agreed by the three EU signatories to the 2015 deal and was made at a meeting on Wednesday, according to Financial Tribune.

"Spreading propaganda with the aim of clearing oneself and laying the blame on Iran is condemned," he said in an interview with IRNA.

The nuclear deal, which is formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was signed between Iran and the six world powers but the United States quit the agreement last year and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

Faint-Hearted Efforts

The European Union apparently remained committed and vowed to shield Iran from the American pressure, but their feeble efforts failed to alleviate the country's economic woes.

"Europe is apparently adhering to the nuclear agreement, but in reality does not fulfill its obligations," Mehmanparast said.

A year after the US departure, Iran took reciprocal steps and began to reduce its compliance with JCPOA in a phased manner as per the provisions of the deal that allows a party to do so if another party is proved to be out of compliance.

It has, however, declared that the nuclear steps are reversible and will be undone once the country's financial interests are met.

Iran has already taken three separate calibrated steps away from the deal and has warned it will take a fourth in November unless its concerns are addressed.

The former Foreign Ministry spokesman said the claim that Iranian measures have rendered the deal ineffective is untrue and is aimed at shifting responsibility from Europe.

"Iran's steps to reduce its compliance are within the framework of JCPOA and based on the balance of commitments and the logic of action for action," he said.

Mehmanparast noted that the blame for difficulties facing JCPOA, therefore, rests with the US and Europe, and not Iran.

"The nuclear agreement reached a deadlock after the US exited JCPOA unilaterally and imposed sanctions and Europe did not meet its commitments," he said, adding that Iran has so far shown too much patience and has adhered to its commitments more than the other sides.