Addressing an open session of the Majlis (Parliament) on Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Iran, in the course of the nuclear negotiations, has made it clear to the so-called six powers that no one must ever threaten the Iranian nation.
“We have proved to the world that our nuclear facilities will never shut down, and our weapons program and missile technology do not concern anyone regardless of their claimed power; if anything, the US and the west should be held responsible for the happenings in the region,” said Zarif.
He also added that the severe opposition and anger raised from the Islamic Republic’s enemies and in Israeli media against the nuclear agreement is a testament to Iran’s strengthened authority in the region and the world.
“No time in its history, the despicable Zionist regime has been more isolated among its allies than today,” he said.
Referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Zarif noted that the Plan allows the Islamic Republic to maintain its authority and dignity, the recognition of its nuclear program, the lift of sanctions and an end to the six threatening UNSC resolutions that not only imposed sanctions against Iran but also prohibited the country from pursuing nuclear technology.
“The opposite side’s key demand in the negotiations was to ensure, through restrictions and inspections, that Iran would not obtain nuclear weapons, and what they have acquired today is actually what has already been acquired,” said Zarif.
Zarif further added that Iran has never pursued nuclear weapons and will never do so, thus making sure of this natural fact does not amount to a special benefit for the other side.
“We have never claimed that the JCPOA is completely to the benefit of Iran. The negotiations has been a give-and-take process and we, too, have shown some flexibility; but these flexibilities have been made purposefully and cleverly,” the Iranian diplomat assured.
Zarif further maintained that the issue of reversibility to the conditions before an agreement between the Islamic Republic and the 5+1 is not just an option for the other parties, but also for Tehran as well.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi attended the Parliament’s open session this morning to submit a report on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reached between Iran and the 5+1 group of countries over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program on July 14.
On Monday, all 15 members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) voted for the draft UN resolution in New York, setting the stage for the lifting of Security Council sanctions against Iran.
The text of the draft UN resolution calls for the 'full implementation' of the Vienna agreement and urges UN member countries to facilitate the process.
Meanwhile, US State Department Spokesperson John Kirby released a press statement on Sunday announcing that the conclusion of Iran and 5+1 nuclear talks had officially been handed over to the Congress for a 60-day review period.
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