Iran Press/ Iran news: Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on Monday, the foreign ministry spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi emphasized that Iran wants to preserve the landmark nuclear deal (JCPOA) with world powers, but it is surprising that some European countries have to ask for permission from Washington to honour the commitments they have undertaken as part of JCPOA.
Asked to comment on the arrest of three Australian citizens in Iran, Seyyed Abbas Mousavi said I am only aware of one Australian citizen who was arrested last year on charges of spying.
He added: "I cannot comment on the other two Australian nationals as I am not aware of their cases."
Commenting further on JCPOA, Mousavi said Iran is not too hopeful about the European signatories to the JCPOA honouring their commitments, but according to international law, according to UN security council resolution 2231, and according to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the European signatories to the nuclear accord are required by international law to honour their obligations and commitments [under the JCPOA]. He added: "Tehran is not very hopeful about European signatories to the agreement honouring their commitments."
Asked about the British oil tanker impounded by Iran [the Stena Impero], Mousavi said the final stages of the legal process in relation to this oil tanker are being completed and the British-flagged tanker would soon be released.
Elsewhere in his remarks the foreign ministry spokesman said Iran respects all neighbouring countries and the door to diplomacy with all of them are open, even if some of our neighbours may have different points of view from Tehran.
Asked to comment about Iran's incremental scaling back of its commitments to the JCPOA, Mousavi said Iran has already taken the third incremental step to reduce its commitments, and we are serious about this, and if other signatories continue to ignore their commitments under the JCPOA and continue their inaction, Iran will go ahead with a fourth incremental step, further reducing its commitment, and this fourth step is currently being prepared.
On a more hopeful note Mousavi said the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a significant achievement of multilateral diplomacy in our times, and it is in everyone's interest if this important agreement is preserved. However, Mousavi issued the following warning: "If Iran feels there is no balance between Iran's benefits and obligations within the nuclear accord, and if Iran feels that it is the only party which is honouring its commitments, then Tehran will withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
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