The European Troika’s statement against Iran: Iran did not seize the vital diplomatic opportunity
The European Troika has issued a new statement against Iran regarding the JCPOA negotiations. According to Fars, quoting the German Foreign Ministry’s website, the statement says:
In early August, after a year and a half of negotiations, the JCPOA coordinator presented a text that enables Iran’s return to compliance with the JCPOA commitments and the U.S. return to the agreement.
In this final package, the coordinator made changes that brought us to the utmost feasible flexibility. Unfortunately, Iran chose not to seize this vital diplomatic opportunity. Instead, Iran continued its nuclear program beyond any tangible civilian justification.
As we were getting closer to an agreement, Iran reopened separate issues related to legally binding obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the safeguard agreement made with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
This recent request has raised serious doubts about Iran’s intent and commitment to achieving a successful outcome regarding the JCPOA. Iran’s stance has been inconsistent with legally binding commitments and undermines the prospects of reviving the JCPOA. In June, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors passed a resolution by an overwhelming majority, urging Iran to take immediate actions to answer the agency’s unanswered questions. Three months later, according to the agency’s director-general in his latest report, Iran has taken no steps in this regard.
Our position is clear and firm: Iran must fully, without delay, and in good faith cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. It is incumbent upon Iran to provide credible technical answers to the agency’s questions about the location of all nuclear materials within its territory. The JCPOA cannot be used in any form to relieve Iran of legally binding obligations that are essential for the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. Given Iran’s inability to reach a conclusion on the agreement on the table, we will consult with our international partners on the best way to address the ongoing escalation of Iran’s nuclear program and its lack of cooperation with the agency on the safeguard agreement.