Iran: Time not ripe for unofficial meeting proposed by EU's Borrell
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh has said the time is not ripe for an unofficial meeting proposed by the EU foreign policy chief considering the recent stances and moves by the US and the three European countries.
“In view of the recent stances and measures taken by the United States and the three European countries, the Islamic Republic of Iran believes this is not a good time for holding an unofficial meeting on the accord as proposed by the EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell,” said Khatibzadeh, in a statement on Sunday.
“There has been no change in the United States' stances and behavior, and the Biden administration has not only failed to abandon Trump's failed policy of maximum pressure but has also failed to declare its commitment to the implementation of all its obligations under the JCPOA and the UN Security Council Resolution 2231.”
He stressed that the implementation of commitments by all parties to the JCPOA is not a matter of negotiation and give-and-take, and all options for give-and-take were exhausted five years ago.
“The path forward is quite clear: The US must end its unlawful and unilateral sanctions and return to its JCPOA commitments. This issue neither needs negotiation, nor a resolution by the Board of Governors [of the International Atomic Energy Agency],” he added.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will respond to actions with action, and just as it will return to its JCPOA commitments with the removal of sanctions, it will also answer in kind to all hostile measures and behaviors,” Khatibzadeh underlined.
He also stressed that Iran will continue its close bilateral and multilateral consultations with the current parties to the JCPOA as well as Borrell as the JCPOA coordinator. (ILKHA)