MOSCOW, May 15. /TASS/. European countries have come under the gun from Washington over the Iranian nuclear deal, Russia’s Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference on Tuesday.
"All other parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for Iran’s nuclear program have reaffirmed their commitment to obligations so far," he said when asked if the United States could exert pressure on other participants in the deal. "Iran’s representatives also reaffirmed that, particularly during yesterday’s visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. China and three European countries - France, Great Britain and Germany - have also said they remain committed to the agreement," Lavrov added.
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According to him, following the US withdrawal from the deal, three European Countries - France, Great Britain and Germany - "reaffirmed that they remain committed to the agreement." Lavrov stressed that Moscow could see pressure being exerted on them. "Ultimatums have been issued citing the need to stop trade with Iran, including the exports of certain goods and the imports of Iranian oil, the deadlines of 60 and 90 days have been set. This is some sort of plan to exert powerful pressure," the Russian top diplomat pointed out.
According to him, Moscow could see pressure being exerted on them. "Ultimatums have been issued citing the need to stop trade with Iran, including the exports of certain goods and the imports of Iranian oil, the deadlines of 60 and 90 days have been set. It is kind of a plan to exert strong pressure," the Russian top diplomat pointed out.
"However, our European counterparts tell us they are getting ready to become independent from the US in relation to their trade and economic ties with Iran," the Russian top diplomat went on to say. "We are interested in discussing the issue with all countries remaining within the agreement on Iran’s nuclear program," he noted.
"We will see how resilient the Europeans will be this time, for in the past there were times when they eventually gave in to Washington, damaging their own legitimate interests," Lavrov added.
The US forfeited all its rights under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program by exiting from this agreement, Lavrov explained.
"By withdrawing from the JCPOA, the United States lost all its rights under this document, as there are a number of provisions in it that confers its participants with certain rights. The US - and it seems not to be denying this fact - already forfeited all these rights," he said.