Russian envoy questions West’s commitment to JCPOA revival talks

Russia’s ambassador to international organizations in Vienna has raised doubts about the West’s commitment to negotiations to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, saying there is “a big question mark” in this regard.

According to Press TV, Mikhail Ulyanov made the remarks in a tweet on Wednesday, reacting to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on China’s commitment to the talks.

“No doubt that China is committed to the JCPOA,” he wrote, using an acronym for the nuclear deal or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

He hastened to add, “The question is to what extent the US and E3 are committed to revitalisation of the nuclear deal and maintaining nuclear non-proliferation. This is a big question mark as of today.”

He also said the US and E3 – France, Britain, and Germany – may have a “hidden agenda” with regard to the issue.

Iran, Russia and China have repeatedly blamed Western countries for the impasse in the talks.

During a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi on Tuesday, Xi said China will continue playing a constructive role in resuming the talks, support the Islamic Republic to safeguard its legitimate rights, and help “the early and proper resolution” of Iran’s nuclear issue.

Iran showed to the world the peaceful nature of its nuclear program by signing the JCPOA with six world states — namely the US, Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China — in 2015. But, Washington’s unilateral withdrawal in May 2018 and its subsequent re-imposition of sanctions against Tehran left the future of the deal in limbo.

ME