Zarif: Iran Holds Obama Responsible for Fate of Nuclear Agreement

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, stated that even if the U.S. Congress plays a role in the reached nuclear understanding, Tehran holds Barack Obama, the President of the United States, responsible for the fate of the nuclear agreement with Iran. According to AFP, Mr. Zarif, who is in Lisbon, told reporters on Wednesday, April 15: "It is the duty of the executive branch of the United States to implement an international agreement reached, and we recognize the U.S. government and the President of the United States as responsible for its implementation." This statement was a response to a question regarding the White House's agreement with Congress to review the final nuclear agreement with Iran. Previously, the White House had stated that even if such a requirement were approved by Congress, the President would veto it. John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, also expressed optimism in Germany, alongside other foreign ministers of the so-called G7 countries, saying, "We are hopeful that we can also get the final agreement approved by Congress." Israel, which opposes the current agreement with Iran, expressed satisfaction with the U.S. Senate committee's decision to review the potential final agreement with Iran. During the G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Foreign Minister, stated: "The point is that if we can reach an agreement based on the overall framework, then the issue is whether you can get it through the U.S. Congress." The five permanent members of the UN Security Council, along with Germany, reached an agreement with Iran in Lausanne, Switzerland, which is set to have its implementation framework written and finalized within less than three months. Iran seeks the immediate lifting of sanctions, while some global powers are calling for a gradual lifting of sanctions so that if Iran does not fulfill its promises, they can reapply and enforce them. Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, stated: "The world and the 1+5, the Senate, and the representatives, the President and the U.S. government should all know that in this agreement, if the sanctions are not lifted, there will be no agreement." On Wednesday, Mr. Zarif also welcomed Russia's decision to sell the S-300 missile defense systems to Iran, calling it a "completely legal" matter. The Iranian Foreign Minister, during a joint press conference with the Portuguese Foreign Minister, said: "What Russia has done is the fulfillment of a promise based on a prior agreement and has no relation to the current negotiations." He added: "This is a legal and specific transaction, and in our view, Russia has fulfilled its legal obligation, which has no relation to the current negotiations." Following Russia's announcement to deliver the missile defense system to Iran, Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, called on all countries involved in negotiations with Iran to act "united" if they move towards lifting sanctions against Iran. In this context, Netanyahu expressed "concern" about the world's potential indifference as a result of Iran's adherence to the commitments. Zarif stated that he would address any misattribution of incorrect statements to the leadership. Rouhani reiterated that if sanctions are not lifted, there will be no agreement. John Kerry expressed hope for the approval of the nuclear agreement with Iran in the U.S. Congress.