Iran Press/Europe: In an interview with BBC World Service on Saturday morning, Iran's ambassador to London Hamid Baeidinejad stressed that Iran has taken cautious and measured steps and now the entire Iranian nation is fully behind the government.
Baeidinejad added: "The Americans walked away from the landmark multi-lateral nuclear deal over a year ago, and the European signatories to the deal have had over a year to sort out the difficulties which have sprung up as a result of America's abrogation of the nuclear deal. However, the Europeans have not been very successful and Iran has not benefited economically and business-wise, as it should have done, from the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA)."
The ambassador added: "The Iranian people believe their government has done everything possible to save JCPOA and we have waited for over a year for the Europeans to take positive steps to save the JCPOA. But what Europe has done has been insufficient. We believe that if we don't take appropriate action now, the nuclear deal (JCPOA) will fall apart."
Hamid Baeidinejad pointedly added: "If the Americans want to provoke us, if they take unnecessary provocative action, then we are determined to stand up to the United States. We don't want to initiate a war with the US, but I can assure you that virtually all of the Iranian people are ready to stand up to the United States and pay the price of resistance."
In further comments the ambassador said: "Iran continues to pursue peace and stability in the Middle East, but the United States, in addition to abrogating the UN-endorsed multilateral nuclear treaty, has taken all sorts of unnecessary provocative steps, such as labelling the IRGC a foreign terrorist organisation."
Commenting on Iran giving 60 days to Europeans to honour their commitments and promises as part of the JCPOA, Baeidinejad said: "This is a good opportunity for the Europeans to honour their commitments and obligations under the JCPOA. But if after the 60-day period, problems still persist, we are ready to take further steps, according to the letter of the JCPOA." 101/211
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