Iran threatens to pull out of nuclear deal

Yolanda Murray
02:55, Feb 23, 2018
Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. This material can't be published, transferred, copied or redistributed.
Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. This material can't be published, transferred, copied or redistributed.

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China - plus Germany signed the nuclear agreement on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.

Iran's deputy foreign minister said he did not believe the deal could survive without the US.

He wants all three strengthened if the United States is to stay in the nuclear deal.

"Peoples' expectations from the JCPOA are not met, it's a fact", he said.

Since Trump took office more than a year ago, Iran has stayed within limits on items including its stock of low-enriched uranium imposed by the deal, which also lifted painful global economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Iran has yet to respond to the IAEA's request for "further clarifications and amplifications", the report said, adding that if Iran had reached a concrete decision to build new facilities for marine propulsion it must provide design information.

"If the same policy of confusion and uncertainties about the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) continues, if companies and banks are not working with Iran, we can not remain in a deal that has no benefit for us", Araqchi told the audience, adding, "that's a fact".

Despite that, big banks have continued to stay away for fear of falling foul of remaining US sanctions - something that has hampered Iran's efforts to rebuild foreign trade and lure investment.

The Trump administration will not certify the Iran nuclear deal, US Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday, increasing the likelihood of re-imposition of US sanctions on global sales of Iranian crude.

The IAEA reports have consistently shown Iran adhering to the deal in the two years since it took effect.

As a result, the economic gains Iran expected after it signed the deal have been stymied.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei echoed these statements, saying, "Our policy will not change with regards to the arrogant USA government".

Although the U.S. and the European Union have lifted sanction against Iran, allowing businesses and banks to do business there, the Islamic Republic reports they have not seen the economic benefits they expected after agreeing to curb their nuclear program.

In this October 13, 2017 file photo, President Donald Trump makes a statement on Iran policy in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington. He added that losing the deal would mean the world would face "another nuclear crisis".

Araghchi said US President Donald Trump "has created an atmosphere of uncertainty which is like a poison for the business community in working with Iran".

"The Iranians might do things that have nothing to do with nuclear weapons but advance the technical aspects of their nuclear programs over a long period of time", said Marashi.

Lowly enriched uranium can be used for peaceful applications such as power generation, Iran's stated aim, but also for a nuclear weapon if processed to a higher level. Or it could increase the research and development aspect of their current program, which is what they had put on hold under the terms of the JCPOA.

Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. This material can't be published, transferred, copied or redistributed.


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