In an interview with euronews on Thursday , Araghchi said: "I told the conference today that the JCPOA is in the intensive care unit because it has lost its balance as a result of US withdrawal from the deal. If the Europeans and other signatories to the nuclear deal want to preserve it, then they must show more commitment, more flexibility, and more sacrifice, and specifically, they should fully compensate Iran for the re-imposition of US sanctions, and America's withdrawal from the JCPOA".
Elsewhere in is remarks, deputy foreign minister Araghchi said: "What matters for us is the dividend of the deal. We don't care how the Europeans would protect their companies , but we do care that they continue their business activities in Iran , and they continue to work with us. We want Iran's crude oil to be sold (on the international markets ) , and the money should come back ( into Iran ), so there should be banking channels between the European Union and Iran . How they create such banking channels, is up to the Europeans."
Iran's deputy foreign minister warned the EU that it is running out of time, and that it must come up with an acceptable package soon. Araghchi said: "That few weeks is almost over , or will be over very soon. I cannot say that the prospect of the continuation of negotiations with Europe is bright and clear, and can lead us to achieve a joint package for saving the JCPOA. We are still waiting , and we are hoping that Europe's package will be good enough for Iran to stay within the JCPOA".
Elsewhere in his remarks, deputy foreign minister Araghchi emphasized that the Iranian government has made a lot of sacrifices to keep the JCPOA going and to preserve the nuclear deal, and Iran expects Europe to reciprocate , and make sacrifices of its own.
Araghchi also said that the majority of the Iranian people are skeptical about Europe, and that the Iranian government is also skeptical on whether the EU can provide us with a package which can give Iran the benefits of sanctions lifting, and a package which is sufficiently in Iran's interest."
Araghchi also had this warning for the Europeans: "Iran’s patience has come to an end and it is possible that Iran might withdraw from the JCPOA in the coming weeks".
On May 8, US president Donald Trump announced America's withdrawal from the JCPOA, despite strong opposition from America's European allies. The JCPOA is a landmark nuclear deal signed in 2015 after years of negotiations between Iran and the 5+1 Group (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).
Following the US exit, Iran and the remaining parties launched talks to save the accord. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has underlined that any decision to keep the JCPOA running without the US should be conditional on “practical guarantees” from the Europeans.
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