European Sources: Other Issues May Be Discussed in Possible JCPOA Meeting

The spokesperson for the EU's foreign policy chief stated that the date for Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's trip to Brussels has not been determined. Catherine Ray, spokesperson for the EU's foreign policy chief, said in a press conference on Monday, January 8, that Federica Mogherini is in constant contact with Zarif regarding developments in Iran and the nuclear agreement. She added that Mogherini will meet with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Monday, and one of the topics they will discuss will be the nuclear agreement. Informed sources within the EU told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that Zarif's trip to Brussels is likely, and if it occurs, it will be on Thursday or Friday (January 11 or 12). These sources, who wished to remain anonymous, added that this meeting will be part of discussions regarding the nuclear agreement (JCPOA), but certainly 'other issues' may also be addressed. The invitation for Zarif to travel to Brussels was announced on Sunday by his German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel. Gabriel, in an interview with ZDF television in Germany, referred to ongoing contact with his Iranian counterpart regarding Berlin's stance on the widespread protests in Iran, indicating that he and Mogherini have asked Zarif to come to Brussels for a meeting. Gabriel did not provide further details about this trip. In this context, Bahram Qasemi, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, indicated on Monday that the deadline for the extension of the suspension of U.S. nuclear sanctions is January 12. He stated that Mogherini has invited Zarif and three European ministers (from the UK, France, and Germany) to discuss the JCPOA and developments that may occur after January 12. Qasemi emphasized that this meeting is entirely related to the JCPOA. Following the nuclear agreement, the U.S. President must report to Congress every 90 days on Iran's compliance with the JCPOA. With the previous deadline in October, Donald Trump refrained from certifying Iran's actions. The 90-day deadline will end again on January 12. On January 13, another deadline for the extension of the suspension of sanctions will occur, which requires the signature of the U.S. President. This extension occurs every 120 days. However, given the U.S. government's approach to recent developments in Iran and Trump's criticisms of the nuclear agreement, it is unclear what decision he will make in this regard. According to ISNA news agency, Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, warned on Monday about the possibility of the U.S. exiting the JCPOA, stating, 'The international community must be prepared for this stage.' Araghchi added, 'Our region will not become a safer place without the JCPOA.' This statement comes as one of the criticisms from the United States towards Iran has been Tehran's behavior in the region, which White House officials describe as 'destabilizing.' In this context, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stated on Friday that consultations between the White House and members of Congress are ongoing to amend the laws related to the nuclear agreement with Iran, the JCPOA, so that Washington may possibly remain in the agreement. He added in an interview with the Associated Press that the President (Donald Trump) has stated that he will either amend this agreement or withdraw from it. We are currently in the process of fulfilling his promise regarding the amendment of this agreement. Reports indicate that two U.S. senators and officials from the Trump administration met at the White House on January 4 to reach an agreement on a plan that would maintain the nuclear agreement while tightening restrictions on Tehran. According to the Associated Press, one option is for Congress to pass a law that removes the requirement for the White House to certify Iran's compliance with the JCPOA every 90 days.