Nobakht: With the U.S. Exit, We Should Expect Changes in the Country's Situation

Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, the spokesperson for Rouhani's government, says that the U.S. is 'very likely' to exit the JCPOA on May 12 and that 'we should expect a different situation in the country.' According to the IRNA news agency, Nobakht made these remarks on Wednesday, May 1, during a Teacher's Day commemoration in Bandar Anzali, stating that 'by May 12, the U.S. is very likely to exit the JCPOA, and we should be prepared for a different situation in the country.' He added, 'We are ready for a different atmosphere and have prepared the necessary measures and budgets for days that will be different from today.' U.S. President Donald Trump is set to announce his decision regarding the JCPOA on May 12. Trump has previously referred to the JCPOA as 'the worst deal ever' and promised to withdraw from it. Earlier, Trump set four conditions for the U.S. to continue its participation in the JCPOA, which include 'immediate access' for international inspectors to all Iranian sites and facilities, making restrictions on Iran's nuclear program permanent, ensuring Iran does not approach nuclear weapons, and limiting Iran's ballistic missile program. Trump has given a deadline until May 12 to rectify the 'flaws' in the JCPOA; otherwise, he will not extend the suspension of sanctions on Iran based on the JCPOA. The U.S. President emphasized that if Iran resumes its nuclear program, it will face 'greater problems' than before. The Iranian government spokesperson stated that the 'economic blockade' still exists and that it is the government's duty to break this blockade. He also emphasized that the Iranian government will 'defend' the JCPOA until the last day. Nobakht also rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claims about Iran's 'secret' nuclear activities, stating, 'He wants to create a global wave against Iran and the JCPOA with this show, but the only competent authority that the world accepts and can comment on this is the International Atomic Energy Agency.' Netanyahu stated on Tuesday that the JCPOA was based on 'lies' and announced that Israel had obtained 55,000 pages of documents from Iran's nuclear program, indicating that Iran was seeking to build five nuclear warheads. European leaders have urged Trump to remain committed to the JCPOA but have also expressed readiness to make changes to it. However, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated on April 24 that Tehran would not accept any changes to the JCPOA's provisions. Netanyahu had asked Trump in September 2017 to take action specifically regarding the 'sunset clause' of the JCPOA. According to the 'sunset clause,' Iran can increase its enrichment centrifuges after 10 years and can also increase its stock of less-enriched uranium after 15 years. Netanyahu has emphasized that Israel seeks the removal of problematic provisions of the JCPOA, whether through amendments or cancellation. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stated in an interview with the Associated Press last week that if the U.S. exits the JCPOA, Iran might withdraw from the NPT. In this context, Zarif reacted to Netanyahu's statements about 'Iran's secret nuclear information.' The White House stated that the problem is that the nuclear agreement was based on completely false Iranian claims.