Iran Press/ Iran news: "All imposed sanctions on Iran must be lifted; the US’ domestic policy is not our concern," the Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said during his weekly presser in Tehran.
Answering the reporters via video conference, Khatibzadeh responded to Iran Press question on the efforts of the Republicans in the US Congress to approve a bill not to allow Biden’s administration to lift imposed sanctions on Iran and noted that there was no difference between imposed sanctions on Iran and everything was related to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
"It was not hidden that the Trump administration, by imposing sanctions, demolished the nuclear deal, and targeted Iran’s economy and trades with others as a part of the maximum pressure campaign," Khatibzadeh highlighted.
The foreign ministry spokesman said that this policy aimed not only to make it impossible for other administrations to get back to full compliance but also to make it hard for other countries to abide by the JCPOA.
"Legally speaking, to us, everything is related to JCPOA, so all sanctions, including imposed and reimposed, should be removed," Khatibzadeh stated.
Saeed Khatibzadeh responded to a question about the Wall Street Journal's claim that the Biden administration was ready to ease sanctions on oil and finance, and whether these issues had been formally conveyed to Iran, saying: "There has been no change in our position on lifting the sanctions. All the sanctions should be lifted at once and there is no difference between the sanctions and all should be verified," he said.
He stated: "We do not accept a step-for-a-step plan and it is not on our agenda. The United States must live up to its commitments, and Iran is ready to comply with its obligations under the JCPOA after verification."
Regarding the remarks of the Saudi ambassador to the UN, who made accusations against Iran and called on the international community to conclude a stronger agreement with Iran, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "The security route in the region goes through endogenous talks. Creating space through dialogue will be more beneficial for peace and stability in the Persian Gulf."
Regarding Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's published audio file, he said: "What was published was by no means an interview and was not supposed to be an interview. There was a bilateral agreement to maintain confidentiality."
The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "What was published was by no means an interview from the beginning and it was not supposed to be an interview and it was not a media interview. It is a dialogue as a part of a routine and confidential dialogue within the government. The bilateral agreement was to maintain confidentiality. The Foreign Ministry had no role in selecting the negotiating team, the persons in charge of the interview and keeping the files, and we do not know how or why they did so."
The spokesman said: "This is more than the three-hour interview that was published two nights ago. What Zarif said should be seen in general and not selective. Zarif always expresses his views behind closed doors and clearly and unequivocally."
Khatibzadeh also said: "In this file, the late Lt Gen Soleimani is described in detail with respect and honor, and everyone knows the background of this nobleman and talks about his role in making peace, and so on."
He added: "An illegal thing has happened and it must be investigated. The officials of the Islamic Republic are very transparent and explicit in the expertise situation."
Regarding Zarif's audio file, Khatibzadeh noted: "It will not disrupt our missions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a governing body and has proved over the past four decades that it pursues its duties and missions within the framework of the sovereignty and sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran. All must accompany and protect the interests of the Iranian nation."
Zarif's trip to Indonesia
He referred to Zarif's trip to Indonesia and noted that the rotating meeting of the Joint Commission of the JCPOA was held Tuesday and the trip of Pakistani FM to Tehran was made on Wednesday and the meetings were very well and a third border crossing named "Pishin" was inaugurated.
Khatibzadeh also referred to Zarif's visit to Qatar and Iraq and added: "Yesterday, the Foreign Minister had good meetings with the Emir and Foreign Minister of Qatar, and today he is on a visit to Iraq. The Iranian delegation participating in the Joint Commission of the JCPOA will also leave for Vienna today and will continue the talks within the framework of the Commission."
The Iranian diplomat spoke about what happened to the two Iranian citizens in Turkey and the measures taken in this regard: "Citizens' rights are important to us, and we followed up on this issue seriously and contacted friends in Turkey. The two countries' border guards had a meeting, and Tehran gave its note to the Turkish ambassador the same day to follow up. This is an awful thing for the good relations between the two countries."
214
Read More:
Sanctions must be lifted, then Iran returns to obligations: Deputy FM
