Zarif: U.S. Goodwill in Implementing JCPOA Could Facilitate Interaction in Other Areas

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, stated that if the U.S. demonstrates goodwill in implementing the nuclear agreement, such an approach could pave the way for interaction in other areas. In an interview with Robin Wright from The New Yorker, conducted on Tuesday and published on Wednesday, Zarif did not rule out the possibility of negotiations with the Trump administration. According to the report, the Iranian Foreign Minister referred to a meeting of Iranian and American experts this coming weekend in Vienna to discuss the implementation of the nuclear agreement, known as the JCPOA, between Iran and six world powers. Under the nuclear agreement reached in July 2015, a joint commission composed of Iran and the six world powers, led and coordinated by the EU's foreign policy chief, will continue to 'monitor and supervise the full and effective implementation of the JCPOA.' This commission's meeting is scheduled for July 30 in Vienna. Zarif stated: 'We have no objection to a possible meeting between us and Rex Tillerson, if such a meeting is necessary for the implementation of the JCPOA.' He also added: 'If we observe goodwill from the U.S. in implementing the nuclear agreement, such an approach could serve as a foundation, not a ceiling, for it. There is a possibility that we could interact in other areas. We do not see such a thing yet.' Zarif emphasized: 'I have not requested such a meeting so far, nor do I think I will make such a request.' In another part of this interview, Zarif rejected statements from Trump administration officials regarding renegotiating the JCPOA, deeming such a topic dangerous. He said: 'Even imagining and thinking about resuming such negotiations would be very dangerous, as everyone would enter such negotiations with higher expectations than before. Achieving this agreement was complex enough, and reaching another agreement (on this matter) would be impossible.' Zarif's remarks come as the U.S. government accuses Iran of acting 'contrary to the spirit of the JCPOA,' while Iran accuses the U.S. of violating the nuclear agreement. On Tuesday, the U.S. government announced, based on its 90-day deadline for renewing the lifting of nuclear sanctions against Tehran, that Iran has adhered to the provisions of the JCPOA, although it has acted 'against its spirit.' The day after the U.S. confirmed Iran's implementation of the JCPOA, sanctions were imposed on individuals and entities in Iran. Zarif also reacted yesterday, accusing the U.S. government of violating the 'spirit of the nuclear agreement' with these sanctions and 'poisoning' the already tense relations between the two countries. Previously, President Trump stated that Iran does not act according to the spirit of the nuclear agreement with the six world powers, and the U.S. government will examine this issue closely. While the U.S. State Department confirmed Iran's adherence to the JCPOA over the past 90 days, many Western media focused on the fact that President Trump was reluctant to take this action, which is why this confirmation was allegedly sent to the U.S. Congress at the last minute. The U.S. is also reviewing its policies towards Iran, and a White House official previously announced that the results of this review would be announced by the end of summer. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department spokesperson accused Iran of actions that destabilize the region. Heather Nauert stated: 'Part of the JCPOA says Iran is supposed to participate in creating peace and stability in the region and globally, and we believe that some actions in which the Iranian government has been involved have undermined the stated goals of regional and international peace and stability.'