Abbas Araqchi: The Leader's Letter Guarantees Proper Implementation of the JCPOA

In the first official reaction of the government to the letter from the Supreme Leader regarding the implementation of the JCPOA, Abbas Araqchi, the Deputy Foreign Minister, described Ayatollah Khamenei's letter as a "guarantee for the proper implementation" of the JCPOA during a television program on Wednesday night. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran and a senior member of the nuclear negotiation team emphasized that the government's criterion for implementing the JCPOA is the "view of the leadership." According to Araqchi, "If the JCPOA has weaknesses, conditions and requirements have been set by the Supreme National Security Council, the Parliament, and the Leader of the Revolution, so we will pay attention to these requirements and conditions in the implementation of the JCPOA to cover the weaknesses and prevent the infiltration of the enemy." Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his recent letter, confirmed the Supreme National Security Council's resolution for the implementation of the JCPOA. At the same time, the letter emphasized nine requirements and conditions for the implementation of the JCPOA. It is said that the Supreme National Security Council's resolution, which is chaired by Hassan Rouhani, also includes ten "considerations" for the implementation of the JCPOA. Ayatollah Khamenei requested a "written declaration from the President of the United States and the European Union regarding the lifting of sanctions" and added, "It must be stated in the declaration of the European Union and the President of the United States that these sanctions have been completely lifted. Any statement indicating that the structure of sanctions will remain is considered a violation of the JCPOA." Abbas Araqchi emphasized that arrangements for lifting sanctions have been created and adhered to in the JCPOA. This senior Iranian negotiator referred to the European ministers' resolution on Sunday, which, according to him, "lifted all sanctions in three resolutions, was legally approved on paper, and was registered in the official journal of the European Union." The Deputy Foreign Minister clarified that "the President of the United States was also supposed to sign the executive orders [for lifting sanctions], which has happened, and the President's orders have been registered, and we are currently reviewing the legal issues regarding this matter." According to Abbas Araqchi, the Iranian side's condition for lifting sanctions during negotiations, which is also included in the JCPOA, is that "the Council of the European Union must have the resolution and the President of the United States must also have a signature." He also emphasized that "besides written guarantees, the main guarantee of the JCPOA is Iran's authority and ability to return to its previous state." Araqchi also pointed out the differences between the U.S. Congress and the government regarding the lifting of sanctions against Iran, stating, "If Congress does not allow the lifting of sanctions, it is a violation of the JCPOA." He stressed that "in practice, economic and financial sanctions must be lifted, and Congressional sanctions must also be stopped. These sanctions must be officially and in writing lifted, and then Iran will carry out its related activities." This senior official of the Iranian Foreign Ministry reiterated that "the legal structure of the sanctions has now collapsed, and on the day of implementation, the entire framework will be lifted." Other conditions and requirements emphasized in the Supreme Leader's letter included that if any new sanctions are imposed on Iran "for any reason," it will be considered a violation of the JCPOA. Araqchi stated regarding this condition: "The JCPOA states that nuclear-related sanctions will be removed, but it is mentioned that the other party does not have the right to reimpose these sanctions under different titles or establish new sanctions, and the government will consider this important matter." One of the points mentioned in Ayatollah Khamenei's letter was the conclusion of the PMD (Possible Military Dimensions) issues of Iran's nuclear program, and part of the Deputy Foreign Minister's remarks on Wednesday night was dedicated to this topic. Abbas Araqchi emphasized: "We will not touch Arak until the PMD file is closed; however, we may take preliminary steps in this regard, but no material will be transferred, and this will happen after the PMD is resolved." According to the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, "The Agency has announced that its work with Iran is complete, and this was a significant step regarding the PMD, and all questions from the Agency have been raised, and all visits and inspections have been conducted, and the Agency officials' visit to Iran regarding the PMD will not take place." Another issue raised in the Supreme Leader's letter was the Arak heavy water reactor, which Araqchi explained that the document related to the modernization of this reactor will be signed, and the six countries of the 5+1 will officially announce their strong commitment. According to Araqchi, the document related to the modernization of the Arak reactor was finalized during his recent trip to Vienna and sent to the capitals of the negotiating countries to be "ultimately signed by the foreign ministers of all seven countries, with the division of responsibilities managed and owned by Iran." Based on Abbas Araqchi's explanations, "China and the United States have the most significant roles in Arak, but all six countries cooperate in the modernization of this reactor." The general outline of the plan known as "Iran's Proportional and Reciprocal Action in Implementing the JCPOA" was approved by the Parliament on Sunday, October 19, and the details of it were approved the following day. The Guardian Council also approved the Parliament's resolution on Wednesday, October 22, without any changes to prepare the ground for its announcement. According to the Vienna nuclear agreement reached between Iran and world powers, which has also been confirmed by the United Nations Security Council, extensive international sanctions against Iran will gradually be suspended or lifted if extensive restrictions are imposed on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.