Tehran (IP): Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi described on Monday the latest developments in the country's foreign policy at a weekly news conference.

Iran PressIran news: Referring to Europe's decision to launch a dispute settlement mechanism in Iran's nuclear agreement 2015 known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Mousavi said, "We are in the JCPOA and have balanced our commitments based on the actions of the European parties."

He went on to say: "After the US withdrawal from the JCPOA, we announced that we will reduce our nuclear commitments and take the final step. Europe's claim is unacceptable because Iran has activated a dispute settlement mechanism under Article 36 of the agreement 21 months ago, and recent European actions have no legal value. Of course, they do not believe they have begun the trigger mechanism. We had announced a lot of technical and legal arguments and we have to wait for the process to go."

Responding to a question about stopping the implementation of the Additional Protocol or reducing IAEA supervision at Iran's nuclear facilities, he said: "I am not sure right now, but there are several options that will be announced after they are finalized."

"Iran declares that it adheres to the nuclear agreement and we do so, but so far no significant action has been taken by the Europeans. Step Five was the final step in reducing our commitments under the agreement, and if the current process continues, Iran will take an effective step," the spokesman said.

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Answering a question about Iraq's complaint against Iran to the UN Security Council, Mousavi said: "Our response to the US (assassination of LT. Gen. Soleimani) was a decisive action which the Iraqi government and armed forces had been informed of. So ask the media why they complained."

He emphasized that Iraq's national security and sovereignty and territorial integrity are important to Iran as a powerful neighbor and longtime friend of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Tehran has always called on aliens and foreign forces to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs."

Referring to Iran's involvement in the fight against ISIS terrorists, he said: "Iran once responded to Iraq's invitation and provided aid to Iraq. Iran has been present in Iraq with official permission, and they have acknowledged this. Iran's role in dealing with ISIS is clear to Iraq. We had announced that we would be attacking wherever a conspiracy launched against Iran and our authorities. Our officials were convinced that the plot of the assassination of Lt Gen. Soleimani was planned at the base of Ain al-Assad, and we informed the Iraqi government that we were targeting the base." 207

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