Iraqchi: Europe's Actions Regarding the JCPOA Have Not Led to Operational Solutions

Abbas Araghchi, the political deputy of Iran's Foreign Minister, on Thursday, November 15, urged European countries to take operational steps to preserve the nuclear agreement known as the JCPOA. Araghchi, who was on a one-day trip to Rome, stated to reporters that the Islamic Republic of Iran has fulfilled its commitments under the JCPOA and expects the European Union to fulfill its economic commitments alongside its political obligations, as the EU's actions have not yet led to operational solutions. Following the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement with Iran and six world powers on May 8 this year, all sanctions that the United States had suspended under this agreement were re-imposed. Meanwhile, the remaining countries in this agreement are trying to somehow preserve it and encourage Iran to fulfill its commitments. In this context, Europe intends to create a mechanism or channel that can continue trade with Iran without using the dollar and purchase oil from the Islamic Republic. This mechanism will allow Iran to import food and goods in exchange for its oil exports to Europe. Europe plans to legally establish this mechanism this month, but its practical operation will begin next year. However, the U.S. has warned European entities regarding non-dollar trade with the Islamic Republic. On the other hand, diplomats stated that no European country is willing to host the special financial mechanism known as the 'SPV' for fear of U.S. sanctions. Araghchi also emphasized that the U.S. has effectively violated UN Security Council Resolution 2231 by withdrawing from the JCPOA. According to Iran's political deputy foreign minister, the U.S. has not only exited the JCPOA but also encourages other countries to violate Resolution 2231. Resolution 2231 was adopted to endorse the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers, receiving an overwhelming majority of 15 positive votes from 15 members, obligating all UN member states to implement the JCPOA provisions. Araghchi further stated, 'The JCPOA is a security and non-proliferation agreement, and the U.S. withdrawal from it has posed challenges to the security of Europe, the region, and the international system.' The Iranian deputy foreign minister also requested during a meeting with the head of the Italian Foreign Affairs Committee that Europe should not allow the U.S. to misuse financial and monetary issues as a weapon to impose its unilateralism on the international community. Previously, several Iranian officials criticized Europe's inability to counter U.S. sanctions. However, U.S. officials also claim that efforts to create a special European mechanism with Iran will yield no results. In this context, Brian Hook, the U.S. Special Representative for Iran, stated last week that 'any major European company will ultimately prefer the U.S. market over the Iranian market.'