Iran Warns Agency About 'Failure of US Commitments in JCPOA'

Ali Akbar Salehi warned on Monday, January 8, that if the United States does not fulfill its commitments under the JCPOA, Iran may reconsider its current cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization made this warning during a phone conversation with Yukiya Amano, the Director General of the Agency. According to Fars News Agency, Salehi stated: 'If the US fails to fulfill its JCPOA commitments, the Islamic Republic will make decisions that could impact the current cooperation between Iran and the IAEA.' The Trump administration in the US must decide by January 12 whether to extend the suspension of sanctions under the nuclear agreement with Iran. This extension occurs every 120 days. However, given the US government's approach to recent protests in Iran and the criticisms from the US President regarding the nuclear deal, it is unclear what decision he will make in this regard. Additionally, based on a US congressional resolution, the President must report to Congress every 90 days regarding Iran's compliance with the JCPOA. Following the previous deadline in October, Trump refrained from certifying Iran's actions. Another 90-day deadline will end on January 12. The IAEA is an international body responsible for promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and is tasked with reporting on Tehran's compliance with the agreement based on the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers in July 2015. Supporters of this agreement, with European countries being the most significant, believe that monitoring Iran's nuclear program will prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Trump has been a major critic of the JCPOA over the past year, calling it 'the worst deal.' During the recent protests in Iran, he once again questioned the JCPOA, stating that the money gained from this agreement has been spent on 'adventurism' in the Middle East rather than for the Iranian people. The likelihood of the US withdrawing from the JCPOA seems serious enough that Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, felt compelled to warn on Monday that 'the international community must be prepared for this stage.' On the other hand, Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, reported that Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, has invited Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Foreign Minister, and his European counterparts (from Britain, France, and Germany) to discuss the JCPOA and developments that could occur after January 12. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, known as the JCPOA, resolved many of Iran's nuclear activities that led to the shutdown and suspension of significant parts of it, and it also facilitated the lifting or suspension of international sanctions against Tehran. Qasemi also warned on Monday about the US's potential withdrawal from the JCPOA, stating that 'the US government is obligated' to implement the JCPOA 'according to the initial understanding' and that 'any potential withdrawal by the US or any unreasonable actions will face proportional and severe responses from Iran.' He did not provide details about possible actions from Tehran.