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Iran Rejects Talks with US/E3 on JCPOA Unless Illegal Sanctions Lifted

Written by Subject: Iran

Iran Rejects Talks with US/E3 on JCPOA Unless Illegal Sanctions Lifted

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh rebuffed EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell's phony outreach for informal JCPOA talks with its signatories, saying:

"In view of the recent (unacceptable) stances and measures taken by the United States and the three European countries, the Islamic Republic of Iran believes that this is not a good time for holding an unofficial meeting," adding:

"Implementation of commitments by all parties is not a matter of negotiation and give-and-take, because all options for give-and-take were exhausted five years ago." 

"The way forward is quite clear. The US must end its illegal and unilateral sanctions and return to its JCPOA commitments." 

"This issue neither needs negotiation, nor a resolution by the (IAEA) Board of Governors."

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will respond to actions with action and just in the same way that it will return to its JCPOA commitments as sanctions are removed, it will also answer in kind to all hostile measures and behaviors."

Iran is eager and willing to engage in good faith diplomacy with all nations.

It's unwilling to meet with the US and E3 countries as long as they refuse to fulfill their mandated JCPOA obligations under international law.

A first step is by lifting illegally imposed sanctions.

As long as they remain in place, there's no point in discussing anything with nations implacably hostile to Iranian sovereignty and rights of its people.

The US, UK, France and Germany aren't serious about engaging in good faith diplomacy with Iran.

Since Trump unlawfully abandoned the JCPOA in May 2018, the above four countries showed their hostile intentions toward Iran.

No evidence suggests a positive change in their position — just the opposite.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif slammed E3 countries for allying with the Biden regime's call for the IAEA board to adopt an unacceptable anti-Iran resolution it sent to the watchdog group.

On Monday, the board will convene to discuss various issues that include monitoring Iran's legitimate nuclear program and Biden regime draft resolution.

Last month, Iran and the IAEA agreed that security cameras will continue monitoring the country's nuclear facilities for three months.

If illegal US sanctions are lifted before that time expires, Iran will provide the footage to the IAEA. 

If not — that's highly likely — it'll be erased.

On Sunday, in response to Iran's rebuff of Borrell's call for JCPOA signatory countries to meet, a hollow White House statement said the following:

"While we are disappointed at Iran's response, we remain ready to reengage in meaningful diplomacy to achieve a mutual return to compliance with JCPOA commitments (sic)."

Biden regime hardliners are implacably hostile toward Iranian sovereign independence, its freedom from US control.

Ignore their rhetoric. Follow their actions.

Based on what's happened since Biden replaced Trump, they have no intention of complying with Security Council Res. 2231 that affirmed the JCPOA — no intention to lift illegal sanctions or observe landmark deal provisions.

Whenever nations free from US control engage with its officials diplomatically, things virtually always end in similar fashion.

What they pledge in return for what's demanded ends in betrayal.

It's a waste of time for Iran, Russia, China, and other independent countries to engage with the US diplomatically.

It demands everything in return for hollow promises to be broken.

Straightaway or later on, it happens every time.

VISIT MY WEBSITE: stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman). Contact at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

My two Wall Street books are timely reading:

"How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized Banking, Government Collusion, and Class War"

https://www.claritypress.com/product/how-wall-street-fleeces-america/

"Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity"

https://www.claritypress.com/product/banker-occupation-waging-financial-war-on-humanity/

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