Mogherini Emphasizes the Need for 'Implementation of All Aspects of the JCPOA' by All Parties

Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, emphasized on Friday that the EU will ensure that 'the full implementation of all aspects of the JCPOA by all parties will continue.' In remarks made on Friday, November 10, at a conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Mogherini stated that the Iran nuclear agreement was 'a major success for the EU and international multilateral diplomacy that is yielding results.' The two-day conference on 'Security and Sustainable Development in Central Asia' began on Friday morning, where Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also stated that Iran has proven its commitment to non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament by 'fulfilling all its obligations under the JCPOA.' The Iran nuclear agreement, known as the JCPOA, was reached in July 2015 after years of negotiations between Iran and six world powers, under which Iran agreed to impose restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for the suspension of related sanctions. However, since Donald Trump came to power in the United States, he, a long-time critic of this agreement, has continued his criticisms, particularly regarding Iran's violation of the spirit of the JCPOA, until he ultimately announced in October of this year that he could not certify Iran's compliance with this agreement as part of his new strategy toward Iran. The US President has described the Iran nuclear agreement as 'the worst deal ever' and 'a source of shame for America,' believing that this agreement has flaws that, if not addressed, will lead the US to withdraw from it. Trump's decision not to certify Iran's compliance with the JCPOA has given Congress a two-month window to decide on the possibility of reinstating sanctions against Iran, a matter that could jeopardize the future of this agreement. However, Federica Mogherini, who previously led the negotiations that resulted in the JCPOA and has since overseen its implementation, has repeatedly described the Iran nuclear agreement as one that is yielding results since the announcement of the new US strategy. She, who recently traveled to Washington to negotiate with American lawmakers regarding the JCPOA, noted on Tuesday, November 7, that she received clear indications in discussions with members of the US Congress that they want the US to remain in the JCPOA. The temporary nature of parts of the nuclear agreement, Iran's financial benefits from this agreement, the failure of the agreement to prevent missile tests, the limited ability of inspectors to monitor sites in Iran, and Iran's non-compliance with the spirit of the JCPOA are among the major grievances of Donald Trump regarding the nuclear agreement, and he seeks to address these shortcomings in cooperation with Congress and American allies. European parties to the JCPOA have previously stated that they share concerns about Iran's missile program and destabilizing behaviors and are ready to find solutions for them, but at the same time warned against actions that could harm the nuclear agreement, including the re-imposition of sanctions.