US dragging feet over JCPOA implementation: Commentator

'US dragging feet over JCPOA implementation'

US dragging feet over JCPOA implementation: Commentator

A political analyst says Washington's lack of seriousness is the main stumbling block in implementing the JCPOA. 

Press TV has conducted an interview with Kaveh Afrasiabi, a political commentator from Boston, to discuss the progress of Iran's nuclear agreement with the P5+1 countries.

A rough transcription of the interview follows.

Press TV: We have seen the US drag its feet when it comes to implementing it sides of the JCPOA as far as lifting of the sanctions is concerned, as far as its obligations go. Why do you think that is so?

Afrasiabi: Well unfortunately that happens to be the case and I think we need to distinguish between foot dragging and procrastination which is an essential part of the Iranian complaint vis-a-vis the US, and the other side is, I think, the unintended or unforeseen consequences and some complications with respect to, for example, the international financial institutions and what appears to be their climate of fear and uncertainty in dealing with Iran which requires very concrete steps by the US administration to devise not simply signals which is not sufficient but clear policy guidelines that would evaporate these fears and uncertainties that prohibit trade deals with Iran. So, I think that is a key issue right now that requires very clear steps by the White House and the Treasury and the so forth that so far is unfortunately lacking.

Press TV: It is not just that Mr. Afrasiabi but also as the Leader pointed out that there is that bullying or that forcing of other countries to follow suit, to follow the US’s lead in how to deal with Iran, in how to implement this JCPOA and this of course id in not good faith.

Afrasiabi: Absolutely not, because if you recall President Obama gave so many speeches before and after the JCPOA, talking about Iran’s reintegration in the international community once this deal is signed and so on and yet we hear that the US is sending its envoys around the world giving them cautionary notices about deal making with Iran and that is definitely not in the spirit of the nuclear agreement contrary to what President Obama stated recently.

So, they need to look at themselves in the mirror and see who is the culprit for all these problems that is […] the implementation of the nuclear deal and there is a very key issue right now that requires detailed instructions to the international banks by the US government and unfortunately we are dealing with a lame duck president and a lot of banks whatever that the Obama administration might tell them privately or publicly, they may not even heed to them because there is going to be another president in the White House early next year. So, that is another issue that needs to be examined and scrutinized very closely by the US officials.

Press TV: When it comes to putting pressure on other countries to drag their feet as far as implementation of the JCPOA goes, let's not forget the US tried to, at least reports have said, even the Iranian officials, … to impede the process of the nuclear negotiations, however, there was political role on the part of other players within those negotiating teams. So, the question is that how can long the US continue to bully these countries when they clearly see that their advantage lies in more communication and more relations with Iran.

Afrasiabi: There is a […] between the rhetoric and actual policies of the US and the US, in my opinion, is playing fire with the nuclear agreement, case in point Secretary Kerry just said a few days ago said that Iran seriously deserves access to US dollar and so forth and yet we see that there is nothing done by the administration to facilitate that process and if this continues there would be a serious crisis of confidence in the nuclear agreement and God knows what would happen to its future.

So, the Europeans and other P5+1 nations that took part and signed this agreement have to put pressure on the US to comply with its obligations so that this climate of uncertainty and fear would go away and Iran would be able to enjoy the benefits of the lifting of the sanctions. 

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk