EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell called for an urgent resumption of the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (JCAP) on Iran’s nuclear program. “Now I have put a text on the table that details the lifting of sanctions, as well as the nuclear steps needed to restoration of the JCPOA. This text represents the best possible deal that I, as coordinator of the negotiations, believe is feasible,” Borrell explained in an article published on his blog on Saturday, July 30.
According to the head of European diplomacy, “concluding an agreement now will bring significant economic and financial dividends, as well as strengthen regional and global security.” At the same time, Borrell admitted that although “this is not an ideal agreement,” it “encompasses all the essential elements and includes hard-won compromises on all sides.” “Every day without an agreement in Vienna sets aside concrete economic benefits for the Iranian people through the substantial lifting of US sanctions, as well as non-proliferation gains.” Ed.) for the whole world,” the head of the European foreign policy department warned.
Implementation suffered due to Trump’s decisions
Josep Borrell recalled that the FDP concluded in 2015 secured “strict restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities and the most extensive monitoring and inspection regime ever implemented by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).” In turn, he recalled, the deal opened “the prospect for Iran to benefit economically from the lifting of US, EU and UN sanctions.”
But the full implementation of the FDP did not happen due to the decision of US President Donald Trump. The head of the White House in 2018 announced the US withdrawal from the deal and the conduct of a unilateral campaign of “maximum pressure” on Iran. “From my side, Iran has increased its nuclear activity to an alarming level,” Borrell recalled. “The EU and all other members of the FDP have made it clear how much we disagree with the US withdrawal and the re-imposition of sanctions,” the head of European diplomacy stressed, pointing out that “maximum pressure” from the US “failed because the collective unity of the remaining participants made it possible to maintain this deal. “Concluding an agreement now will bring significant economic and financial dividends, as well as strengthen regional and global security. Rejecting it guarantees a loss on both accounts – who knows for how long,” Borrell said.
Nuclear deal with Iran
The Joint Comprehensive Action Plan, which was signed in 2015 by Iran, the US, Russia, China, Germany, France, and the UK, called for Tehran to take a series of steps to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions previously imposed by the US and the EU.
Negotiations to return to compliance with the terms of the JCPOA began in Vienna in April, but have reached a dead end after the election of Ebrahim Raisi, a hardliner in relations with the West, as President of Iran. Meanwhile, Tehran continues to increase stockpiles of uranium enriched to levels that exceed those agreed in the JCPOA.
See also:
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US sanctions against Iran – a chronicle of confrontation
US imposes new sanctions on Iran
On November 5, 2018, new US sanctions against Iran came into effect. They concern the banking and oil sectors of the economy and can completely paralyze it. The US sanctions came after Washington withdrew from the Iranian nuclear treaty. This document is a key element in the global security system.
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US sanctions against Iran – a chronicle of confrontation
US pulls out of Iran deal
On May 8, 2018, US President Donald Trump announced the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPO) concluded between Iran, the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany in 2015 and providing for Tehran to take a number of steps to limit its nuclear programs in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.
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US sanctions against Iran – a chronicle of confrontation
Iran complied with the terms of the deal
Until last November, Iran complied with the terms of the nuclear deal, according to a quarterly report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Tehran’s stocks of enriched uranium and production capacity remain below the limits established under the agreement. Checks at nuclear facilities took place the day before the entry into force of a new package of US sanctions.
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US sanctions against Iran – a chronicle of confrontation
What sanctions are in effect
After unilaterally withdrawing from the FDP, Trump announced a phased resumption of sanctions that were already in place but were lifted in 2015. In November, Washington banned the export of oil from Iran and doing business with Iranian oil companies. In addition to new sanctions, the previously introduced ones continue to operate, affecting the financial sector and prohibiting doing business with Iranian banks.
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US sanctions against Iran – a chronicle of confrontation
EU regrets new US sanctions
The European Union, as well as separately Germany, France and the United Kingdom, have expressed regret over the new sanctions that the United States has imposed on Iran. “We deeply regret the entry into force of new US sanctions as a consequence of Washington’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal,” the EU said in a joint statement released on November 2.
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US sanctions against Iran – a chronicle of confrontation
Iran intends to continue oil trade
Despite the entry into force of the second round of US sanctions against Tehran, Iran will continue to trade in oil. This was stated in a televised address to fellow citizens in early November by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani: “America wanted to reduce the sale of oil by Iran to zero … but we will continue to trade in oil … to break through the sanctions.”
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US sanctions against Iran – a chronicle of confrontation
Threats from Tehran amid US sanctions
Tehran is going to produce uranium with an enrichment of 20 percent. It is not known whether this step was coordinated with the IAEA. Last year, Tehran threatened to resume uranium enrichment if it was not compensated for damages from US sanctions. “Article 36 of the agreement and UN Security Council resolution 2231 allow the implementation (of the nuclear deal. – Ed.) in a reduced volume, without leaving it,” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said.
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US sanctions against Iran – a chronicle of confrontation
The imposition of sanctions led to protests
The economic situation in Iran is deteriorating. Fearing the consequences of US sanctions, European banks are choosing not to do business with Tehran. Import of any goods to Iran is extremely difficult. The country does not even have enough vital medicines, the prices of which have skyrocketed. In Iran, long under the burden of sanctions, discontent is growing. Evidence of this – protests.
Author: Natalia Pozdnyakova
