Iran Dismisses Prospects for Negotiations with the US
In a recent press conference, Iranian spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei criticized the behavior of the three European nations involved in the nuclear negotiations, labeling their actions as “irresponsible and obstructive.” This strong statement comes in the context of ongoing tensions surrounding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and its implications for Iran’s nuclear program.
Baghaei expressed concerns regarding the actions of the European troika, which includes the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. He accused these nations of misusing the JCPOA’s dispute resolution mechanism to impose demands aligned with the United States on the UN Security Council. He emphasized that their preconditions for Iran’s participation in negotiations were completely unreasonable.
In detail, Baghaei noted:
- Iran has engaged in constructive dialogue with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), resulting in a new cooperation framework that initially received support from Europe.
- However, the three European countries later retracted their support due to their unreasonable conditions, leading to a failure in fulfilling their roles as negotiation partners.
- He stated that future negotiations would significantly differ from previous ones, highlighting a shift in approach.
Baghaei further criticized the European countries, asserting that their actions were driven more by a desire to meet US demands rather than rational calculations or legal considerations. He pointed out that these actions overlooked their own interests and credibility as parties to the JCPOA.
Iran’s position on this matter has the backing of China and Russia, with Baghaei noting Russia’s quick acknowledgment of the illegality of the European actions as a permanent member of the Security Council. He stressed that Iran has formally protested and criticized the conduct of the Secretariat in the Security Council regarding these actions.
“The actions of the three European countries create no legal obligations for UN member states,” Baghaei asserted. He called upon nations to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and refrain from complying with what he termed “unlawful actions” imposed by the European troika.
During his remarks, Baghaei referenced a recent visit by an Iranian delegation to New York, where they held significant discussions with the UN Secretary-General on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. He stated:
- “We had frank discussions about the misuse of the UN Security Council and the JCPOA dispute resolution mechanism by the three European countries.”
- He elaborated on the legal reasons that render these actions illegitimate.
Baghaei pointed out that resolutions passed between 2006 and 2010 concerning Iran’s nuclear issue achieved consensus among the permanent members of the Security Council. In contrast, at least two permanent members now oppose the reinstatement of sanctions, indicating a clear lack of consensus. “This demonstrates that the European troika’s actions to reimpose sanctions are unilateral,” he noted.
He highlighted that according to Resolution 2231, all restrictions related to Iran’s nuclear program were expected to expire by October 18, suggesting that the nuclear issue should be removed from the Council’s agenda.
In a broader context, Baghaei addressed the aggression exhibited by the Israeli regime and the United States against Iran in June. He emphasized that Iran holds both parties responsible for illegal attacks on its peaceful nuclear facilities and territorial integrity.
He remarked that the IAEA report, along with its misuse by the three European countries and the United States, created a pretext for these aggressive actions. Despite the absence of evidence suggesting any diversion of Iran’s nuclear program from peaceful purposes, he criticized the lack of condemnation from the Agency regarding the actions of Israel and the United States.
“According to IAEA resolutions and the UN General Assembly, any attack on a country’s peaceful nuclear facilities is prohibited,” he said. Baghaei expressed hope that recent events would serve as a lesson for the Agency and all related parties to prevent the political misuse of its technical authority.
Emphasizing Iran’s position, Baghaei reiterated the call for the IAEA to focus solely on its technical duties and avoid positions that may suggest influence from the United States or Western countries.
In conclusion, Baghaei informed reporters that Iran currently has no plans to negotiate with the United States. Instead, the focus remains on assessing the impacts and consequences of the actions taken by the European troika and the US. He stated:
- “Diplomacy continues through contacts and consultations, and whenever Iran determines that diplomacy can be effective, decisions will be made based on national interests and priorities.”
- He noted that statements from US officials admitting to criminal actions against Iran only increase the United States’ international responsibility.
Baghaei concluded by asserting that acknowledging illegal actions does not legitimize the US but rather reinforces its image as a law-breaking entity that disregards accepted global norms.
In light of these developments, the diplomatic landscape surrounding Iran’s nuclear negotiations remains complex and fraught with challenges, as parties navigate the legal and political implications of their actions.
