Trump seeking excuses to undermine Iran deal: Shamkhani

A senior Iranian official says by pushing for inspections of Iran’s military sites, the US is actively seeking undermine the nuclear deal between Tehran and world countries, including Washington itself.

According to Press TV, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani on Friday slammed US President Donald Trump for fabricating excuses vis-à-vis Washington’s implementation of its obligations under the nuclear deal, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Such an “unconstructive” attitude, which is meant to “actively undermine the international agreement,” would further tarnish the US standing in the world, and would certainly be met with Iran’s proportionate response, he added.

“The Islamic Republic does not have any undeclared nuclear activities in any part of its geographical areas,” said Shamkhani, stressing that this has been proved in inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is tasked with monitoring the technical aspect of the JCPOA’s implementation.

Shamkhani further described the call for inspections of Iran’s military site as “a propaganda campaign by American media” aimed at evading its obligations under the nuclear deal.

The research underway in Iran’s military facilities, Shamkhani said, concerns conventional weaponry and will continue with all force within the framework of promoting the country’s deterrence power.

“It is impossible for foreigners to uncover the [country’s] research and production capacities in the area of conventional arms,” he said.

Shamkhani said Iran will not undertake any obligation beyond what has been specified in the JCPOA.

Any statement about the obligations under the deal has to be make through official channels, based on technical and legal approaches, lack prejudice and be examined at the IAEA alone, the Iranian official noted.

“The issue of access to Iran’s military sites is a closed case,” Shamkhani concluded.

The IAEA said earlier in the month that it was not going to inspect the sites “just to send a political signal.”

On Thursday, Gholam Ali Khoshroo, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, said the US was obliged to protect the JCPOA and continue enabling the sanctions relief under the accord.

Khoshru further said, “Any form of sanctions is against the principle of diplomacy and dialog and does not help advancing the state of affairs. The US should stop using sanctions as a tool in its foreign policy, and engage in interaction with the world.”

SS