File Photo: Zarif at the Munich Security Conference

Iran’s Foreign Minister said that Tehran is prepared to slow down or reverse the measures it has taken towards JCPOA commensurate with what Europe does.

Iran Press/Europe: "We have said that we are prepared to slow down or reverse these measures commensurate with what Europe does," Mohammad Javad Zarif told the reporters on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on February 14 while referring to Iran’s steps in reducing nuclear obligations under the Iran Nuclear Deal.

Since May, Iran has been scaling down its commitments in retaliation for Washington’s 2018 withdrawal from the deal and the failure of three European signatories – the UK, France, and Germany – to protect bilateral trade against American sanctions.

The Government of the Islamic Republic announced in a statement on January 5 that its fifth and final step in reducing Iran's obligations under the nuclear agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The statement added that Iran's cooperation with the IAEA will continue. If the sanctions are lifted and Iran benefits from the JCPOA, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to return to its commitments. Atomic Energy Organization is obliged to take the necessary steps and arrangements in this context in coordination with the President.

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Zarif continued: "We will decide whether what Europe does is sufficient to slow down or to reverse some steps — we have not even ruled out reversing some of the steps that we have taken." 

"We're not talking about charity. We're talking about Iranian rights and the rights of the Iranian people to receive the economic benefits," said the Foreign Minister.

"We have received irreversible harm or irreparable harm because of  US sanctions, but, nevertheless, we will reverse the steps that we have taken provided that Europe takes steps that are meaningful," he added.

Germany’s President kicked off the annual Munich Security Conference on Friday by taking a swipe at President Donald Trump’s “America First” foreign policy approach.

In his opening remarks, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticized the US policies, warning that the United States would put its own interests first at the expense of allies.

The 56th Munich Security Conference attended by leaders from 35 countries will continue until Sunday.

Mohammad Javad Zarif is scheduled to give a speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.

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