JCPOA Not Negotiable, Iran’s President Says in Phone Talk with Macron
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reiterated Tehran’s strong opposition to the idea of renegotiation of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
President Rouhani had a telephone conversation with the French president in which he referred to the role of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in developing and deepening relations between Tehran and Paris, stating that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to develop relations with France in all fields of mutual, regional and international interest.
In the phone call with President Emmanuel Macron of France that took place on Friday night, Rouhani referred to French President’s coming official visit to Tehran next year, saying: “Iran and France could take a greater step forward in strengthening relations in all areas of mutual interest”.
“The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the only reference to declare Iran's commitment to fulfil its obligations, and mixing multilateral and international commitments with domestic disagreements in the US can be very dangerous for global confidence,” Rouhani underlined, referring to Washington's possible decisions and the French President's emphasis on Paris and the European Union’s support for the JCPOA and the need for all parties to full implementation of its provisions.
Rouhani also stressed that any action taken by the President of the United States against the JCPOA means undermining a multilateral agreement, saying, “The JCPOA is in no way negotiable, and all parties must adhere to their obligations and the President or the Congress of the United States must not be allowed to take actions against it.”
"Unfortunately, there is a government in the United States that does not wish to be committed not only to the JCPOA, but also to other international obligations and regulations, an act that seriously undermines the principle of the negotiating table in the global stage.”
"JCPOA is the basis of trust between Iran and the P5+1 countries and the stronger this agreement is, the stronger the basis for dialogue and negotiation on other issues with the European Union will be," said Rouhani, adding that Iran is committed to its commitments made in the JCPOA and continues its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“The European Union and Iran must work together to counteract malicious and incorrect acts against the JCPOA,” the Iranian president further emphasized, according to official website of Iran’s president.
The French president, for his part, emphasized in the telephone conversation that Paris is determined to deepen its ties with Tehran in all areas of mutual interest.
Emmanuel Macron referred to US’ attempts to undermine the JCPOA and said, "The European Union and France will defend the JCPOA decisively and we are fully committed to it, and we urge Iran, in spite of Washington's efforts, to continue to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and stay committed to its commitments.”
He said that he would head an official high-level French delegation visiting the Islamic Republic of Iran next year, saying, “There is a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues that I would like to discuss with Iranian officials during the trip.”
The French president also described the White House’s policies towards the JCPOA the result of internal disagreements in Washington, calling on Washington to remain committed to its commitments.
