Iran’s clever measures prevent US from shrugging off: Expert

Tehran, IRNA – The Western parties have always tried to put the ball in Iran’s court, but Tehran’s clever actions have prevented the United States from shrugging off its responsibilities, an Iranian expert said. Mohammad-Ali Shafiei, an expert in American studies, said in an Interview with IRNA on Saturday that Iran’s stances in the talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal are clear and have not changed throughout the negotiations. Regarding the recent EU proposal to conclude the talks, Shafiei said that Iran has insisted that there would be no deal unless its demands to ensure the Iranian people’s economic benefit, removal of the sanctions, and assurance on Iran’s economic exchanges are met. The expert rejected the Europeans’ claim that the draft has been finalized waiting for the capital to make their decision, arguing that a final text is the one accepted by both sides while the EU’s proposal lacks Iran’s demands. It is the Americans that have to make their decision, he noted, adding that the Americans have imposed sanctions against Iran and the Europeans cannot give any assurance on sanctions removal. Private companies don’t obey their governments on US sanctions and they avoid investing in Iran lest they fall into the trap of sanctions, the expert further explained, adding that’s why the US is the one to make the final decision. He criticized US President Joe Biden for setting new conditions for a possible US return to the nuclear deal, while Washington could return to the deal by implementing their commitments like what they did with regards to the Paris Climate Agreement through a single statement. The Americans have raised demands beyond the deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or simply the JCPOA, forcing Iran to accept their demands, Shafiei said, adding that Iran didn’t give up, however. He accused the Western parties of media machinations with the intention of putting the ball in Iran’s court and shifting the blame for rejecting the EU’s proposal on Tehran, but Iran has prevented this by its clever measures. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish