FM: Iran Mulling Retreat from JCPOA as Post-May 12 Option

Rasa - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif blasted the US approach towards the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and said Iran will consider abolition of the nuclear agreement after President Donald Trump announces his decision.

News ID: 437549

Date: 07 May 2018 - 21:52

RNA - "Exit from the JCPOA will remain to be one of Iran’s options after the United States’ decision is announced on May 12," Zarif said.

He pointed to his meeting with former US Secretary of State John Kerry as an influential figure in the JPOA, and said, "It is true that Kerry is not an official in the US government anymore, … but the US public opinion and lobbying groups can influence the US government policies.”

The Iranian foreign minister stressed that Iran has prepared necessary options in order to deal with the possible US withdrawal, adding that the United States exit will definitely lead to its isolation.

Zarif said that if the US seeks to squeeze Iran economically, Tehran will react appropriately.

The Iranian foreign minister noted that Iran will have different options after the US administration announces its decision on May 12, adding that leaving the JCPIA will remain to be one of Iran options.

In relevant remarks earlier on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi blasted the US for violating the nuclear agreement reached between Tehran and the six world powers in July 2015, and warned that Iran's response to a possible US abrogation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will be painful to Washington.

"One cannot tell at the moment. The JCPOA has certain features that make it difficult to withdraw from it; Washington will pay a heavy price for exiting the nuclear agreement as it will make the world all the more distrustful of the US," Qassemi said.

He reiterated that if Trump decides to pull out of the deal, Iran’s response would be "painful" for the US and would cause the American side much regret.

"Iran will not be the first country to violate the JCPOA, and once the agreement ceases to be profitable to the Iranian nation, we will take the necessary decisions," Qassemi added.

In relevant remarks on Sunday, Iranian Supreme Leader's top aide for international affairs Ali Akbar Velayati underlined that Tehran has all options on the table in case Washington quits the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"If Americans opt to quit the nuclear deal signed between Iran and the Group 5+1 (the US, the UK, Russia, France and China plus Germany) group of countries, the Islamic Republic is ready to counter their measure in a proportionate manner," Velayati said.

According to Fars News Agancy, Velayati's remarks came few days ahead of a May 12 deadline set by President Trump to either scrap or uphold  the multilateral nuclear pact.

President Trump, a long-time critic of the JCPOA, has repeatedly threatened to abrogate the nuclear agreement by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire, if the European signatories to the deal -- Britain, France and Germany -- do not "fix" its "terrible flaws."

Under the multilateral nuclear agreement, reached under Trump's predecessor Barack Obama, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.

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