Lavrov: We Hope Iran Does Not Withdraw from the Nuclear Agreement

In response to recent statements by the Iranian President regarding the JCPOA, the Russian Foreign Minister expressed hope that Iran would not withdraw from the nuclear agreement and that the United States would, according to him, "adhere to its commitments." Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, on Tuesday, August 15, addressed the U.S. government in the Iranian Parliament, emphasizing Iran's commitment to the nuclear agreement with six world powers, stating: "They should know that the failed experience of sanctions and imposition ultimately brought their past governments to the negotiating table, and if they wish to return to those experiences, Iran will certainly return to a much more advanced situation than at the start of negotiations in a very short time—not in weeks or months, but in hours and days." According to Interfax news agency, Sergey Lavrov, one day later, at a press conference, said: "Given Mr. Rouhani's statements that Iran may withdraw from the JCPOA... my hope is that such an event does not occur." He added, "I also hope that the United States does not violate its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action." The Russian Foreign Minister also emphasized that imposing new sanctions against Iran is "irresponsible" and could disrupt the balance of power established in the region after the nuclear agreement with Iran. According to Interfax, Sergey Lavrov, speaking at a press conference in Moscow on Wednesday, emphasized that "these unilateral sanctions are essentially illegal," stating: "And when such sanctions are used in an attempt to influence a fragile balance in favor of one side, as has been achieved in Iran's nuclear program, I believe that these actions are irresponsible, as they can jeopardize this balance." Lavrov's remarks on Wednesday refer to the new sanctions plan against Iran, Russia, and North Korea that has been approved in the U.S. House of Representatives. Iran and six world powers reached an agreement on the "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action" (JCPOA) in July 2015 in Vienna. Under this agreement, Iran suspended many of its nuclear activities, and in return, international nuclear sanctions against Iran were suspended or lifted. Since Donald Trump came to power, the U.S. has imposed new sanctions against the Islamic Republic due to what some describe as Iran's "destabilizing behaviors," which the U.S. sees as contrary to the spirit of the nuclear agreement. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, responded on Tuesday to Hassan Rouhani's statements regarding withdrawal from the nuclear agreement, stating that Iran should be held accountable for "missile tests, support for terrorism, human rights violations, and Security Council resolutions." Security Council Resolution 2231, issued after the Vienna nuclear agreement and aimed at endorsing it, called on Iran to refrain from developing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Iran asserts that its missile tests are not in violation of the nuclear agreement, claiming that "the tested missiles were not tested for carrying nuclear warheads." Iran's action in testing the "Simorgh" satellite launch vehicle on July 27 of this year drew international reactions. On August 2, the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany warned the United Nations that Iran had taken a "threatening and provocative step" by testing a missile capable of carrying a satellite into space and called for the UN Secretary-General to address this issue. In this context, the U.S. State Department emphasized the need to "counter all threats from Iran," while details of a plan to counter U.S. sanctions were approved in the House. Reactions from Tehran and Moscow to the U.S. doubts about Iran's adherence to the JCPOA are significant.