RNA – Speaking at the opening ceremony of the new round of high-level talks on cooperation between Iran and the European Union entitled “Nuclear Cooperation: Developments And Perspectives” at the Abbasi Hotel in Esfahan, Hujjat al-Islam Mojtaba Zonnour, the chairman of the Nuclear Committee of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and said, “There are nine reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran’s nuclear activities are peaceful, but unfortunately, we are seeing that the same environment is being pursued as before the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed.”
The JCPOA is an international agreement on Iran’s nuclear program reached in Vienna on 14 July 2015 between Iran, the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States – plus Germany), and the European Union.
Referring to the threats of breaking up and extending sanctions, the representative of the people of Qom in the Islamic Consultative Assembly said, “Helga Schmid, Dominique Ristori and Federica Mogherini had good positions and we thank them. Our nation expects that the JCPOA is an collection which isn’t divisible and the P5+1 group of countries, as allies of Iran regarding the JCPOA, must strive to protect it.”
He emphasized upon the JCPOA in regards to the adherence to a commitment that Iran accepted and stated, “It must not be imagined that the JCPOA has given a lot to Iran, we are a member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), but the JCPOA is one of the rights of our people and they must give it to the people gradually.”
Hujjat al-Islam Zonnour said Iran was committed to the JCPOA based on humanity and added, “The United States has become delusional regarding Iran’s commitment to the JCPOA. Iran’s commitment to the JCPOA is not because the deal has given Iran any benefits.”
Emphasizing the need for rationality to prevent the creation of hypocrisy in the political arena after accepting the JCPOA, he stated, “While the United States is the claimant of human rights, Saudi Arabia, which is supported by the United States, has never even held elections.”
The Iranian cleric noted the hostage taking of Lebanese Prime Minister Sa’ad al-Hariri by the House of Saud and forcing him to resign and putting pressure on Lebanon and said, “This issue isn’t unique in history and the United States seeks to achieve more benefits in Saudi Arabia and for this reason, they support Saudi Arabia.”
Referring the role of the Iranian people in various political arenas and participating in various elections, Hujjat al-Islam Zonnour said, “While the Iranian people are present in various areas and elections are held in Iran, Iran is accused of human rights abuses and violations but the Islamic Republic of Iran has proven its peaceful activities, especially in the field of nuclear energy.”
The chairman of the Iranian parliament’s Nuclear Committee referred to Iran’s huge advances in the nuclear field and described these developments as irreversible. “The European Union should participate and cooperate in Iran’s nuclear projects in order to have the best possible partnership with Iran,” His Eminence said.
He evaluated Iran’s accession bill to the Convention on Nuclear Safety in the Islamic Consultative Assembly positively, adding that Iran is ready to participate in nuclear safety and that the Islamic Consultative Assembly will also be in favour of the diplomatic system.
Hujjat al-Islam Zonnour emphasized the impossibility of the United States leaving the JCPOA and stated, “The right to appeal must given to Iran regarding the voluntary implementation of the additional protocol and the United States must abide by all its commitments and implement them.”