Iran’s foreign minister said that “in fact the US has not yet changed its policy”
Tehran is ready to start negotiations on the nuclear deal with Washington once all parties to the agreement fulfill their obligations. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday.
“Iran will start negotiations [on the nuclear deal] when the parties return to fulfilling their obligations,” he was quoted as saying by Press TV. The diplomat added that “in fact, the US has not yet changed its policy.” Zarif said, however, that “there will be no negotiations to change the nuclear deal.
Zarif said Russia and China, unlike European countries, were striving to meet their obligations under the nuclear deal.
“120 Chinese citizens and companies have been put on sanctions lists [for contacts with the Iranian side]. <…> Also, restrictions have been imposed on numerous Russian companies. And only a few European companies [have been hit by sanctions],” he said. – This shows who is at least trying to meet their obligations and who is not.”
Zarif added that US President Joe Biden, in addition to sanctions against the Islamic republic, should lift restrictions on Chinese and Russian companies and citizens imposed for contacts with the Iranian side.
On Thursday, State Department spokesman Ned Price said the United States was prepared to take part in talks with Iran and others in the 5+1 format (Russia, Britain, China, France and Germany) on Iran’s nuclear programme at the invitation of the European Union. According to Reuters, a high-ranking EU official earlier said Brussels was ready to host a meeting of the participants in such a format.
The minister made the statement amid information about the possible return of the US to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear programme. Tehran has insisted on Washington’s full return to the agreement without preconditions. However, the US side has warned that it will not take steps first. In addition, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has proposed expanding the JCPOA to include regional policy and the Islamic republic’s missile programme.