U.S. State Department Spokesperson: We Are Still Reviewing the Nuclear Agreement with Iran

Heather Nauert, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated that the U.S. government is still conducting a comprehensive review of the nuclear agreement between Tehran, Washington, and five other powers. Ms. Nauert reiterated the U.S. government's position that Iran is not adhering to the 'spirit' of the nuclear agreement. During a press briefing on September 12, she said: 'We continue to monitor the inspections of the International Atomic Energy Agency and verify Iran's nuclear commitments.' Nauert indicated that, from the U.S. government's perspective, Tehran is not committed to the spirit of the nuclear agreement, as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) calls for the establishment of peace and political and regional stability, which Iran has not fulfilled. The spokesperson refrained from commenting on a recent confidential report from the IAEA regarding Iran, stating, 'I can say that we appreciate the agency's efforts, which are verifying and monitoring Iran's commitments to the JCPOA.' Nauert emphasized that the U.S. government is 'fully committed' to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and the monitoring and review of the JCPOA are part of this effort. Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons. The issue of a 'comprehensive review' of the nuclear agreement among Tehran, the U.S., France, the UK, China, Germany, and Russia was raised last month by Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State. Donald Trump, during last year's U.S. election campaign, harshly criticized the nuclear agreement on several occasions and even stated that he would cancel it if he won. Since Mr. Trump's victory, the U.S. government has continued to affirm Iran's compliance with the JCPOA, although it claims that Tehran has ignored the spirit of the nuclear agreement. Trump himself has said, 'I don't think they are adhering to the spirit of the [nuclear] agreement.' On the other hand, Iran has accused the United States of violating the spirit of the nuclear agreement and obstructing the full implementation of the JCPOA. Tehran officials emphasize that the nuclear agreement and the JCPOA were not formed solely between Iran and the United States, and the U.S. cannot unilaterally review or negotiate it. The nuclear agreement was established two years ago, under which a significant portion of Iran's nuclear activities were halted, and nuclear sanctions against Tehran were lifted.