Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs lashed out at the recent move taken by Europian parties to the Iranian nuclear agreement 2015, set out in Clause 36 of the accord known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as a wrong decision at the wrong time.

Iran PressIran news: Seyyed Abbas Araghchi made the remarks late on Wednesday in a meeting with Croatian Ambassador to Tehran Drago Stambuk whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Council of European Union.

Araghchi said, “Iran has already activated and completed the mechanism .”

"Iran's five steps in reducing compliance with the deal is the result of activation of the mechanism, as Iran has the right to scale back its commitments proportionate to the other parties' failure to do their part under the agreement," he said.   

Although Clause 36, as stipulated in JCPOA, has been observed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, a similar move taken by EU3 lacks legal and political bases and cannot be accepted, deputy foreign minister emphasized.

Araghchi stated, “Iran still lives up to its commitments under JCPOA and if European parties honor their commitments, all measures taken by Iran will be reversible.”

He cast doubt on the effectiveness of EU trade mechanism with Iran dubbed “INSTEX”, adding: “This mechanism has not yet been operational which shows failure of three European countries in honoring their commitments within the framework of JCPOA.”

For his part, Stambuk voiced readiness of his respective country and European Union for doing any move in line with reducing tension in the Middle East region.

He emphasized that he would reflect concerns of Iranian side to the relevant authorities in the European Union.

Croatia holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union for a period of six months since Jan. 1, 2020.

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