U.S. Energy Secretary Emphasizes: America Has Fulfilled All Its Commitments Under the JCPOA

Ernest Moniz, the U.S. Energy Secretary, stated on Monday that the country has fulfilled all its commitments under the nuclear agreement and there is no reason for Iran to claim that the U.S. has not taken necessary actions to lift sanctions. Last week, Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, who traveled to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, emphasized that the U.S. government has not fulfilled all its commitments based on the nuclear agreement. Such complaints have also been echoed in recent days by Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Foreign Minister, and Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization, with Salehi warning that the failure to fully lift sanctions could jeopardize the future of the JCPOA. However, the U.S. Energy Secretary, in a press conference on the sidelines of the annual International Energy Agency meeting, stated that 'the part of the sanctions that were supposed to be lifted according to last year's agreement has been lifted. That was our commitment, and it has been fulfilled.' Moniz added that 'whether foreign companies and banks will invest in Iran as a result of the lifting of these sanctions is not up to the U.S. government, and these institutions must make their own decisions in this regard.' The U.S. Energy Secretary emphasized that the U.S. government has even gone beyond its commitments, and senior officials have clearly explained to European banks what the consequences of lifting sanctions are for these institutions. He added, 'Banks will gain more clarity and confidence in dealing with Iran, but this will take time.' Moniz also reminded that Iran's oil exports have now nearly reached pre-sanction levels, resulting in a significant increase in revenue and foreign currency transfers to the country. Hassan Rouhani stated last week that the U.S. approach to the issue of sanctions in recent months has been inadequate and needs to be corrected quickly. Ali Akbar Salehi also mentioned at the International Atomic Energy Agency meeting that the future of the nuclear agreement depends on what actions Iran will take in response to the non-fulfillment of its demands. He added, 'The full and reciprocal implementation of all commitments outlined in the nuclear agreement by the P5+1 countries is a vital foundation of this contract and an essential element for its continuation.' Since the implementation of the JCPOA last December, only small and medium-sized banks have been willing to transact with Iran. Large international banks are still hesitant to engage in direct transactions with Iran or support foreign investments in the country due to fears of violating remaining U.S. sanctions, and the possibility of selling passenger planes to Iran, which was anticipated in the JCPOA, has not yet materialized.