Iran says ready to support nuclear deal 'just as France did'

Iran says it is fully prepared to implement the 2015 nuclear deal exactly in the same way that France and its European partners did during the past year.

The remarks were made by Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi, in reaction to his French counterpart's statement, in which Iran was urged to continue to implement all of its obligations under the JCPOA, and to refrain from any measures that would put it in violation of its commitments.

Mousavi said on Tuesday that Tehran is prepared to fully support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and do its best to implement it exactly like France and other European signatories.

He suggested that his sarcastic comment must be completely convincing for the French who claim to be supporting the nuclear agreement.

In a daily briefing on Tuesday, the French foreign ministry spokesperson said, “We reject any ultimatums and will assess Iran’s compliance with its nuclear commitments in regard to its implementation of obligations set forth under JCPOA."

"In this regard, we reaffirm the crucial follow-up and monitoring roles played by the International Atomic Energy Agency. France is determined to see the JCPOA – central to the international non-proliferation and international security regime – implemented in full,” the spokesperson said.

"Along with its European partners, France is continuing its efforts to preserve the economic benefits linked to the lifting of sanctions as provided by the Iranian nuclear agreement, as long as Iran respects all of its nuclear obligations," the French official noted.

On Saturday, France’s ambassador to the United States, Gérard Araud, said on Twitter: “It’s false to say that at the expiration of the JCPOA, Iran will be allowed to enrich uranium,” adding that sanctions could be reimposed. 

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Araud’s comments were “a major violation of the object and purpose of the JCPOA,” adding they needed “immediate clarification by Paris, or we act accordingly.”

PressTV-France's Macron: Iran nuclear deal must be saved

France insists that the multilateral nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers must be saved and Tehran’s continued participation in it ensured.

The work underway for the operational implementation of the INSTEX mirror company known as the Special Trade and Financing Institute (STFI) is moving forward in a positive way and should soon be completed, added the spokesperson.

Iran announced on May 8 that it will halt implementing some terms of the nuclear deal until parties to the deal other than US take action to mitigate the negative impacts of US decision in May 2018 to withdraw from the agreement.

The Islamic Republic says other parties to the JCPOA, particularly the E3 - France, Britain, and Germany - have failed so far to compensate for the US withdrawal and help Iran reap the economic dividends of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has set a two-month deadline for the parties to either do the necessary actions to save the JCPOA or face Iran resuming a nuclear enrichment program which had been suspended as part of the deal in return for lifting of international sanctions on Tehran.

Following Iran's decision, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned against a bellicose spiral of reactions on an international agreement on Iran nuclear activities.

On May 11, Le Drian warned that the chain of reactions on JCPOA could intensify into a “bellicose spiral”.

PressTV-France warns against ‘bellicose spiral’ on Iran deal

France’s Le Drian says reactions over Iran nuclear deal could lead to a bellicose spiral.

The top French diplomat described Iran decision to suspend sale of excess uranium and heavy water as a “bad reaction” in response to a similar “bad decision” by Washington to not honor its commitments.

“Iran has had a bad reaction, faced with a bad US decision to withdraw from the Vienna agreements and impose sanctions,” said Le Drian while urging Tehran to “show its political maturity”.

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