Iran rejects step-for-step JCPOA revival: Senior security official

A senior security official says Iran is opposed to a step-for-step return to the 2015 nuclear deal, adding that the country only accepts the lifting of sanctions in a verifiable manner before returning to full compliance with the multilateral agreement.

Speaking to Press TV on the condition of anonymity on Wednesday, the security official said that the new US administration has failed to lift the sanctions that the ex-team at the White House imposed on Iran after leaving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018.

According to the official, the only way for Tehran to return to its JCPOA commitments is for Washington to lift all the illegal sanctions.

If the sanctions are not lifted, he added, Iran will take further steps away from its commitments under the deal in the near future.

America’s mere words and superficial actions are unacceptable to Iran, the official said, stressing that the country will only accept the full removal of sanctions following verification.

He added that Iran will not hold any official or unofficial talks with the US before the removal of sanctions.

The security official dismissed talks on topics unrelated to Iran’s nuclear issue, saying the Islamic Republic’s defense and missile capability as well as its regional role have nothing to do at all with the JCPOA.

SS