Germany: The Timing of Lifting Sanctions is in Iran's Hands

Germany said on Friday, April 10, that it understands Iran's request for the immediate lifting of economic sanctions after reaching a final nuclear agreement, but Iran must first implement the requirements of this agreement. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of Iran, stated on Thursday that he is neither opposed nor in favor of the framework of the nuclear agreement between Iran and the six major world powers, adding that all economic sanctions must be lifted after reaching the final nuclear agreement by June 30. According to Reuters, Susanne Chabbi, a spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry, said, 'We certainly understand Iran's desire for the immediate lifting of economic sanctions, but we have not yet discussed a timeline including a specific day or month.' She also stated that economic sanctions would be lifted only if Iran complies with the conditions of the final agreement, which has not yet been written, and if the International Atomic Energy Agency confirms Iran's adherence to them. Chabbi added, 'In general, when the sanctions are lifted depends on Iran.' Meanwhile, Christian Wirtz, a spokesperson for the German government, said that the framework is a temporary agreement that must be transformed into a comprehensive final agreement. Ensuring Iran's compliance with the conditions of the final agreement through identifiable and verifiable means is of great importance. According to Reuters, many members of Angela Merkel's government have said that reaching a final agreement would bring significant benefits for both Germany and Iran. German companies hope to gain billions of euros in trade with Iran following the preliminary nuclear agreement between the major world powers and Iran. The German Engineering Association has urged the government to reconsider its trade policies with Iran. Despite the success in reaching the preliminary agreement in Lausanne last week, increased international oversight of Iran's nuclear activities may become one of the main obstacles to achieving a final agreement between Iran and the six world powers. Under this agreement, Iran and the major powers agreed that IAEA inspectors would have regular and full access to Iran's nuclear activities. Inspectors are currently monitoring Iran's main sites. However, the details of the inspectors' work will be clarified in the final agreement. The agreement on the inspection methods, which is a sensitive issue for Iranian leaders, is also considered a complex and significant challenge for negotiators. From the perspective of the U.S. and other Western countries, ensuring complete inspections in the final agreement by June 30 is of great importance. This guarantee is an effective factor in convincing opposing representatives in the U.S. Congress and Israel to accept the nuclear agreement. According to Reuters, Iran claims that its nuclear programs have peaceful objectives but has never welcomed thorough inspections by international inspectors and has concealed part of its nuclear activities in the past.