Foreign Ministry Report to Parliament on the Implementation of the JCPOA

The Iranian Foreign Ministry reported to Parliament regarding the implementation of the Vienna nuclear agreement, stating that in the past two months, approximately 1.3 billion euros from Iran's "oil revenues" have been deposited into the Central Bank's account at EIH Bank (Iran and Europe Commercial Bank) and several other European banks. The report accused U.S. officials of "making excuses, obstructing, and delaying" the lifting of sanctions on Iran, while also stating that the "biggest problem and challenge" in implementing the Vienna nuclear agreement and attracting investment in Iran is a "trustworthy and reassuring environment in the country for foreign parties." According to the report published on Sunday, April 29, by the Fars and Tasnim news agencies, about "one billion euros from oil revenues have been deposited into the Central Bank's account at EIH Bank." The Iranian Foreign Ministry also noted that during this period, "approximately 300 million euros have been transferred to the central banks of Italy, Banca di San Giorgio in Italy, KBC Belgium, PMC Spain, and Hamburg's National Bank, and over 2000 letters of credit have been opened." The Iranian Foreign Ministry also reported the reopening of Central Bank accounts at foreign banks, including in Italy, Austria, and the United Arab Emirates. According to this report, all Iranian banks, "except for a few that are under non-nuclear sanctions, have the ability to use SWIFT." In recent years, Iran has been unable to receive payments from its oil sales due to Western sanctions. The Iranian Foreign Ministry reported an increase in the country's crude oil sales to two million barrels, the reinstatement of export insurance to Iran, renewed cooperation with "at least 18 companies" in the shipping sector, and the provision of fuel to Iranian aircraft in "most European capitals" as practical results of the lifting of Western sanctions against Iran. The report also mentioned the "resolution of the military procurement dispute after 30 years" and the receipt of over 1.7 billion dollars in principal and interest on Iran's money, as well as "successful negotiations with some countries regarding financing projects amounting to 50 billion dollars" as other results of the lifting of Western sanctions. Iranian officials have made differing statements in recent days regarding the lifting of Western sanctions against Iran. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, accused U.S. officials on Tuesday, April 24, of not acting "as they should" in fulfilling their commitments under the Vienna nuclear agreement and of frightening other parties from cooperating with Iran through their statements and actions. Three days later, Valiollah Seif, the head of the Central Bank, announced that global powers have not yet fulfilled their "commitments" under the nuclear agreement and that Iran "is still not connected to the global economy." Seif emphasized that "Iran must be allowed to use the U.S. financial system." On the same day, in response to Seif's remarks, Josh Earnest, the White House spokesman, stated that the nuclear agreement did not include access for Tehran to the U.S. financial system and that Washington does not consider such a move to be under review. The next day, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, stated that the Vienna nuclear agreement does not include Iran's use of U.S. banks. Previously, Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, had said that "the use of the dollar or benefiting from U.S. financial systems is subject to the initial sanctions related to the early revolution, which will not be lifted by the JCPOA." Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry's report to Parliament stated that "the prohibition on using the U.S. financial system is a primary sanction, but currently many financial transactions in the world are somewhat related to this system." In this report, U.S. officials, particularly the U.S. Treasury Department, are accused of "making excuses, obstructing, and delaying" the lifting of sanctions on Iran. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, "despite repeated statements by U.S. officials regarding America's commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the JCPOA, it seems that powerful sectors or circles within the U.S. executive branch have little desire to take proactive steps to clarify ambiguities and even in some cases neutralize efforts made to remove obstacles." The report also stated that "the biggest problem and challenge facing the JCPOA is a trustworthy and reassuring environment in the country for foreign parties." The Iranian Foreign Ministry cited the "chaotic, investment-averse environment in the Middle East," the "doubtful atmosphere regarding the commitment of all parties to the JCPOA," and other issues such as "corruption, lack of transparency, money laundering, and the difficulty of laws" as reasons for foreign companies' hesitance to engage in Iran. Some analysts have pointed to events such as Iran's missile tests, attacks on Saudi diplomatic sites, and statements by Islamic Republic officials against Western countries as reasons for some foreign companies' hesitance to enter Iran after the Vienna nuclear agreement. The Iranian Foreign Ministry also reported that the centrifuges at the Natanz nuclear site have been reduced to 5060 units, the centrifuges at the Fordow nuclear site to 1044 units, Iran's uranium reserves to 300 kilograms, and the amount of heavy water reserves to 130 tons. The Iranian Foreign Ministry's report to Parliament was sent based on a resolution by the Iranian Parliament regarding the Vienna nuclear agreement. According to the resolution, the Foreign Ministry is required to report on the implementation of the Vienna nuclear agreement to the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Parliament every three months.