Iran's Chief Assistant to the Foreign Minister, Abbas Iraqchi, announced that there will be no new nuclear agreement and no new negotiations regarding the nuclear deal that Tehran signed with the six major powers in 2015.
Iraqchi confirmed in an interview with the Italian newspaper "La Repubblica," as reported by Iranian media, that Iran is ready to fulfill all its obligations under the nuclear agreement, provided that the Americans also meet their commitments and lift the sanctions. He clarified that there will be no "nuclear agreement +" or new agreements or new negotiations on the nuclear accord. Moreover, Iraqchi stated that currently Iran has no interest in direct contact with the new U.S. administration, indicating that the nuclear agreement is the appropriate framework and that negotiations should occur within this agreement.
Iraqchi characterized Iran's demand that the United States lift sanctions and return to the nuclear agreement as very realistic, affirming that he sees no other alternative. He said, "We do not have a specific position regarding the transition of power between the administrations in the United States; we are simply waiting to see how the new American president wants to correct Trump's previous mistakes."
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif affirmed yesterday in a tweet that there are two options available to the new U.S. administration under President Joe Biden. Zarif explained that the new American administration has a fundamental choice: either to pursue the failed policies of the past and continue disrespecting cooperation and international law, or the new administration could discard the failed authoritarian policies and move toward peace and good conduct, according to the Iranian news agency "Fars."
On his part, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani invited U.S. President Joe Biden to return to the nuclear agreement while noting that the policies of his predecessor, Donald Trump, had utterly failed. Rouhani stated in a speech broadcasted on Iranian television that Trump's "maximum pressure" policy towards Iran had completely failed, adding that "Trump's political journey has ended." He urged the elected U.S. president, Biden, to return to the nuclear agreement with Iran.
It is worth noting that Antony Blinken, President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for Secretary of State, announced plans to involve Gulf countries and Israel in any nuclear negotiations regarding Iran. Blinken stated during his Senate confirmation hearing that "the Biden administration is committed to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and will engage Gulf countries and Israel in any nuclear negotiations regarding Iran," adding that "Iran acquiring nuclear weapons would make it more dangerous than it is now." Blinken further emphasized that Iran is taking many steps to free itself from the constraints of the nuclear agreement, reaffirming that the U.S. has an urgent responsibility to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
