Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) France, Germany and the UK criticised Iran’s proposal in negotiations on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in a joint statement.
The three countries pointed out in the statement released on Saturday that they doubt Iran wants to revive the nuclear deal, according to Reuters reporting.
Earlier this month, Iran sent its latest response to the EU’s proposal to revive the JCPOA, under which Iran limited its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of UN, US and EU sanctions.
The three European countries pointed out that Iran called for scrapping International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) investigations into uranium traces found at three locations.
Last week, the IAEA warned that Iran’s uranium stock could be used to build a nuclear bomb if enriched further, adding that Tehran did not provide an explanation for traces of uranium.
The IAEA Board of Governors is to hold a meeting today, roughly three months after the body called on Tehran to provide explanations for the traces.
Lack of transparency
“This latest demand raises serious doubts as to Iran’s intentions and commitment to a successful outcome on the JCPOA,” the three countries warned in the joint statement and pointed out that “Iran’s position contradicts its legally binding obligations and jeopardises prospects of restoring the JCPOA.”
Nasser Kanaani, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, described the joint statement as “unconstructive” and added that “the three European countries are advised to play a more active role in providing solutions to end the few disagreements that remain,” according to state media reports.
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s chief negotiator in the talks, described the statement as “very untimely” and expressed belief that disagreements about transparency were “not a serious obstacle.”
Philippe Errera, France’s chief negotiator, stressed “there is no longer an active negotiation,” with which Ulyanov agreed.
“Given Iran’s failure to conclude the deal on the table, we will consult, alongside international partners, on how best to address Iran’s continued nuclear escalation and lack of cooperation with the IAEA regarding its [non-proliferation treaty] NPT safeguards agreement,” the three countries concluded.
Former US President Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and reimposed US sanctions on Tehran. Iran insists that it does not have nuclear ambitions.
