Obama: The United States Has Fulfilled All Its Commitments to Lift Iran's Nuclear Sanctions

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, emphasized that the United States and world powers have "fulfilled all their commitments to lift sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program." In a statement released by the White House on Thursday, July 15, marking the anniversary of the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, Mr. Obama added: "As long as Iran remains faithful to the agreement, we will continue to fulfill our commitments." This comes as Iranian officials accuse the United States of not fulfilling all its commitments under the nuclear agreement. Previously, John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that the U.S. has even acted "beyond its commitments." In his statement, the U.S. President defended the agreement, emphasizing that the nuclear deal has "rolled back Iran's nuclear program, prevented further tensions, and made us safer." At the end of Barack Obama's statement, it is noted that the United States still has "serious differences" with Iran, but "America, our partners, and the world are now safer because of the JCPOA." John Kerry, also on this occasion, stated that the nuclear agreement has made the world "safer." Mr. Kerry added: "A year ago on this day, while many believed that this plan would fail and make the world a more dangerous place, this agreement actually made the world safer and allowed Iran to have a peaceful nuclear program." The Secretary of State also emphasized that "the challenges and differences between the U.S. and Iran remain, and the nuclear agreement does not mean that all issues are resolved." Mr. Kerry mentioned the Syrian crisis, unrest in Yemen, and terrorism as other points of contention between Washington and Tehran. Federica Mogherini, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also stated in a separate statement that the EU firmly supports the "full and effective implementation of the JCPOA and UN Security Council Resolution 2231." Ms. Mogherini also emphasized that the EU has fulfilled its "sanctions-related commitments." She further stated: "The EU and its member states emphasize that Iran needs to strictly adhere to its commitments under the JCPOA and continue full and timely cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency." The EU has also urged Iran to refrain from "actions inconsistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2231." Recently, Iran has been criticized by the UN Secretary-General for its missile tests, but the Islamic Republic has dismissed these criticisms. In her statement, Federica Mogherini highlighted the "EU's commitment" to "further expand relations" with Iran in areas such as trade, energy, human rights, peaceful nuclear cooperation, migration, the environment, combating transnational threats like drugs, humanitarian cooperation, transportation, research, education, culture, and regional issues.