Iran Says It Will Not Comply With Nuclear Deal Until US Lifts Sanctions

The Biden administration said Iran must return to compliance before sanctions are lifted

Dave DeCamp Posted onJanuary 29, 2021CategoriesNewsTagsBiden, Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said on Friday that the Islamic Republic will not give in to the Biden administration’s demands and return to compliance with the JCPOA before the US lifts sanctions.

Speaking at a press conference in Istanbul alongside Turkey’s foreign minister, Zarif said the US demand “is not practical and will not happen.” The Iranian diplomat has made his position clear since President Biden came to office.

Zarif also brought up US sanctions recently imposed on Turkey by the US over Ankara’s purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system. He said Iran “condemns” the S-400 sanctions.

“Unfortunately, the US government has been addicted to sanctions and this wrong policy will cost dearly for the whole world,” Zarif said.

Friday’s comments were Zarif’s second public response to remarks made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday. Blinken said Iran must return to compliance before the US does, something he said was a “long ways” away.

Zarif hit back at Blinken in a tweet on Thursday. “Reality check for @SecBlinken, the US violated JCPOA, blocked food/medicine to Iranians, punished adherence to UNSCR 2231,” he wrote on Twitter.

“Throughout that sordid mess, Iran abided by JCPOA, only took foreseen remedial measures. Now, who should take 1st step? Never forget Trump’s maximum failure,” Zarif added.

Last week, Zarif penned an article for Foreign Affairs calling for President Biden to unconditionally lift sanctions on Iran if the new administration is serious about salvaging the JCPOA.

https://news.antiwar.com/2021/01/29/iran-says-it-will-not-comply-with-nuclear-deal-until-us-lifts-sanctions/