US ambivalence towards JCPOA worrying: Iran

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani has criticized the US ambivalence vis-à-vis Iran's historic nuclear agreement with the P5+1 group.

In a meeting with visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Tehran on Wednesday, Shamkhani said the recent implementation of Iran-P5+1 agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and the concurrent lifting of nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran are vital to building and boosting confidence between Iran and “non-hostile Western” countries.

“Despite the Islamic Republic of Iran’s goodwill to implement JCPOA and effective efforts by some European countries to speed up the implementation process, double-standard and ambivalent approach of the United States is a source of serious concern,” he said.

The SNSC secretary noted that “constructive interaction” between Iran and European countries, in light of political, economic and cultural red lines, can prepare the ground for the opening of a new chapter in multilateral cooperation.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, China and Russia – plus Germany started to implement JCPOA on January 16. 

After JCPOA went into effect, all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran by the European Union, the UN Security Council and the US were lifted. Iran in return has put some limitations on its nuclear activities. The nuclear agreement was signed on July 14, 2015 following two and a half years of intensive talks.

In a surprise move on Tuesday, the US House of Representatives approved the "Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act," which curbs President Barack Obama's ability to lift certain sanctions waiting to be removed in accordance with JCPOA.

The measures, being pushed by the Republican party, are not expected to become legislation as Obama has vowed a veto, arguing that they would derail the agreement.

Terrorists hindering settlement of Syria crisis: Shamkhani

Shamkhani also said terrorists and Takfiri groups are posing “fundamental challenges” to a peaceful settlement of ongoing crisis in Syria.

He said the Islamic Republic supports the political process in Syria and continuation of talks to find a political solution to the conflict there.

“Realization of the Syrian people’s demand to determine their own fate and future as well as preparation of the ground for the return of refugees are the most important priority which should be heeded in political negotiations,” SNSC secretary pointed out.

He said extremism and terrorism are the main security threats to the world.

Necessity for enhanced Iran-Germany ties: Steinmeier

The German foreign minister expressed his country’s keenness to improve all-out relations with Iran after JCPOA implementation has begun, saying that Germany was among the first countries to lift economic sanctions against Tehran.

He added that Iran plays an instrumental role in the regional affairs while stressed the importance of holding consultations to tackle terrorism.

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