Iran countermeasures legal, meant to maintain balance of nuclear deal: FM Zarif

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the countermeasures Iran began to take one year after the United States’ withdrawal from a 2015 nuclear agreement are legal and aimed at preserving the balance of the multilateral deal, reiterating that they can be reversed in case the Washington returns to compliance with its obligations.

“If the US lifts its illegal sanctions [against Iran] and implements its obligations as per the JCPOA (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), Iran will also reverse all its remedial steps,” Zarif said in a phone call with his Finnish counterpart, Pekka Haavisto, on Wednesday, Press TV reported.

He added that despite the US’s breach of the JCPOA, its imposition of “cruel and illegal” sanctions on Iran and inaction of the European parties to the deal, Tehran remained fully compliant with the nuclear agreement for one year.

The Islamic Republic’s countermeasures in response to Washington’s pullout were in conformity with the JCPOA and meant to restore its balance, the top Iranian diplomat said.

‘Diplomacy should be give more chances’

The Finnish foreign minister, for his part, said his country supports the JCPOA, stressing the importance of giving more chances to diplomacy to settle the ongoing challenges on the nuclear issue.

Haavisto also called for the expansion of political, economic, health, consular and research cooperation with Tehran and invited his Iranian counterpart to take part in a meeting of foreign ministers of the EU member states in Helsinki.

Meanwhile, in a phone conversation between the Iranian foreign minister and his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, on the same day, the two sides discussed ways to improve mutual relations and the latest regional and international developments, including the JCPOA.

Zarif welcomed the expansion of Tehran-Tokyo ties and said the Islamic Republic is ready to return to its JCPOA commitments if the other side fulfills its obligations and lifts the sanctions.

The top Iranian diplomat said Tehran plays a constructive role in curbing regional crises and outlined various measures taken by the country, including cooperation with the UN secretary general’s representative for Yemen, to this effect.

Motegi also stressed the importance of strengthening relations between the two countries and said his country supports the JCPOA and its full implementation.

SS