Zarif Expresses Regret Over 'Efforts in America and Europe to Strengthen Sanctions'

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, expressed regret over 'certain efforts in America and Europe that, instead of adhering to their commitments to ease sanctions, have sought to impose further measures to maintain and strengthen the sanctions regime.' The state-run news agency IRNA reported on Wednesday, December 23, about 'separate letters' that Mr. Zarif wrote to the foreign ministers of several countries, in which he outlined Tehran's 'principled positions' regarding nuclear negotiations. The report did not specify when these letters were sent or to which countries' foreign ministers. In his letter, the Iranian Foreign Minister emphasized that 'Iran has shown the necessary goodwill by fulfilling its commitments,' and a comprehensive nuclear agreement is 'entirely within reach.' Zarif also considered the removal of 'all existing sanctions' against Iran as 'an essential part of any agreement' and added that 'some are hesitant to abandon this inhumane, illegal, and unconstructive tool, even at the cost of jeopardizing the entire process that has created assurance and guaranteed transparency.' According to the Iranian Foreign Minister, 'a strong attachment to sanctions has not only obstructed the path to a comprehensive long-term agreement but has also made it impossible to regain the trust of the Iranian people even after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was concluded.' Zarif's emphasis on the removal of all sanctions for achieving a comprehensive and final agreement comes at a time when the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic has described the connection between sanctions and Iran's nuclear program as a 'lie.' Ayatollah Khamenei stated in October 2012 that 'the day these {Westerners} imposed sanctions, there was no nuclear energy in the country,' adding, 'They pretend that if the Iranian nation gives up nuclear energy, the sanctions will be lifted. They are lying.' In subsequent years, the Supreme Leader has called for the implementation of policies known as 'resistance economy' to nullify the sanctions and stated, among other things, in February 2014, 'As long as we rely on others, looking for how much of the sanctions have been reduced, what this or that American official said or did not say, we will not get anywhere.' Iran, the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia, and Germany have been engaged in discussions for years on how to resolve the crisis related to Tehran's nuclear program. These discussions have been extended until July 1, 2015.