All JCPOA parties must preserve deal, fully implement commitments: Joint statement

The remaining member states to a groundbreaking nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have reiterated their commitment to preserving the agreement and stressed their respective efforts in this regard.

The announcement came following a ministerial meeting of the E3/EU+2 -- France, Germany, Britain, China, Russia plus Iran, which was held virtually on Monday. The meeting was chaired by the European Union’s foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell.

The participants said full and effective implementation of the JCPOA by all signatories remains "crucial," emphasizing the need for addressing ongoing challenges in the way of the deal's implementation, including nuclear non-proliferation and sanctions lifting commitments.

"Ministers underscored the important role of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) as the sole impartial and independent international organization mandated by the UN Security Council to monitor and verify the implementation of the nuclear non-proliferation commitments under the JCPOA," the statement said, calling for the continuation of "good faith cooperation" with the agency.

Joint Ministerial Statement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

EEAS - European External Action Service - European Union External Action

According to the statement, the participants once again reiterated that the JCPOA, which has been endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231, is a "key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture and a significant achievement of multilateral diplomacy that contributes to regional and international security."

The six foreign ministers also reiterated their "deep regret" over US President Donald Trump's unilateral withdrawal from the agreement and stressed Resolution 2231 remains fully in force.

They also agreed to continue dialogue "to ensure full JCPOA implementation by all sides."

Pointing to the prospect of the US return to the multilateral agreement, the ministers underlined their readiness to positively address the issue in a joint effort.

With Ministers, we also acknowledged the prospect of a return of the US to the #JCPOA and underlined our readiness to positively address this in a joint effort. Our joint statement ⬇️ https://t.co/3ganv3x87Y

— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) December 21, 2020

Iran foreign minister: This is last chance to save JCPOA

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif took to Twitter later on Monday, saying that during the meeting, he reminded the remaining JCPOA participants that this was the “last chance for E3/EU to save the JCPOA.”

Noting that “Iran-EU 2014-2019 trade data proves E3/EU have gravely breached their JCPOA obligations,” the Iranian top diplomat added, “E3 share the blame with US for irreparable harm to Iranians.

“Our region's crises & arms are mainly imported from US/E3. But we collectively decided to exclude these issues,” Zarif said, “All must return to effective JCPOA compliance.”

At Ministerial Meeting of remaining JCPOA participants, I emphasized:

1. Last chance for E3/EU to save the JCPOA;

2. Iran-EU 2014-2019 trade data proves E3/EU have gravely breached their JCPOA obligations;

3. E3 share the blame with US for irreparable harm to Iranians;

1|3 pic.twitter.com/AWVhpbLTgA

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) December 21, 2020

4. JCPOA timetable is inseparable from the accord. Renegotiation is out of question;

5. Our region's crises & arms are mainly imported from US/E3. But we collectively decided to exclude these issues;

6. "Democracies" cannot ask Iran to violate parliamentary legislation;

2|3

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) December 21, 2020

And last but not least:

7. ALL must return to effective JCPOA compliance. Iran will rapidly reverse remedial measures in response to US unlawful withdrawal—and blatant E3 breaches—when US/E3 perform their duties.

The Iranian people MUST feel the effects of sanctions lifting. pic.twitter.com/L4P2UO5ebu

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) December 21, 2020

Trump, a hawkish critic of the landmark nuclear deal unilaterally withdrew Washington from the agreement in May 2018, and unleashed the “toughest ever” sanctions against the Islamic Republic in defiance of global criticism.

Following its much-criticized exit, Washington has been attempting to prevent the remaining signatories from abiding by their commitments and thus kill the historic agreement, which is widely viewed as a fruit of international diplomacy.

In an interview with the Persian-language newspaper Hamshahri, which published on Sunday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said the historic nuclear agreement has been endorsed by Resolution 2231 and all UN member states are bound to implement it.

UN-backed JCPOA binding deal for all members: Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman

Iran says all UN member states are bound to implement the JCPOA, which has been endorsed by Security Council Resolution 2231.

Saeed Khatibzadeh added that the United States, which was a signatory to the nuclear deal “unilaterally ended its membership and after that, outrageously violated Resolution 2231 both by refraining from implementing its own commitments and preventing other signatories from fulfilling theirs.”

Speaking at the 17th Joint Commission to the JCPOA via virtual video conference on Wednesday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi said safeguarding the deal is not a one-man job, urging other signatories to keep their side of the bargain.   

Iran urges all JCPOA parties to work towards safeguarding 2015 nuclear deal

Iran says all sides need to implement their commitments under the JCPOA to guarantee its survival.

“Iran cannot undertake all the costs of implementing the JCPOA and the illegal behavior of others, and others need to pay a price for protecting the JCPOA,” he said, adding, "The European parties always want only Iran to show restraint towards all illegal and hostile behaviors, whether it is US sanctions or acts of sabotage in Natanz and assassination of its nuclear scientists."

Read more:

• Top EU diplomat vows to continue nuclear talks with Iran regardless of propagandist’s execution
• Russia opposes JCPOA revision, inclusion of non-nuclear issues: FM Lavrov
• Iran urges IAEA to remain ‘impartial’ despite US pressure

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