Germany, France and Britain on Saturday expressed “serious doubts” about the extent to which Iran is “committed” to reaching a “positive conclusion” in talks to save the 2015 deal on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
“Iran is pursuing its nuclear program beyond what can be justified on civilian grounds,” the three governments said in a joint statement.
“In early August, after a year and a half of negotiations, the coordinator of the JCPOA (2015 deal) delivered a final set of texts that would allow Iran to return to its obligations and the United States to return to the deal.” They said three countries.
“Unfortunately, Iran decided not to use this decisive diplomatic opportunity” and “continues to expand its nuclear program (…),” they point out.
Iran has renewed calls for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to halt its investigation into traces of enriched uranium at three undeclared sites, a move contested by IAEA chief Raffaele Croci.
“Our position is clear: Iran must cooperate fully and immediately with the IAEA,” the statement added.
Iran responded to the joint statement, saying it was “not constructive in any way,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Khanani.
Since April 2021, Iran has held negotiations under the mediation of the European Union to re-implement the 2015 deal with the United Kingdom, China, France, Germany and Russia. America is indirectly involved in this.
In 2018, then US President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the deal to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
In response, Iran has gradually failed to comply with the obligations and limitations set out in the 2015 agreement.
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© Agence France-Presse
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