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Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Union

Submitted on 2017-10-16 11:02:09

Statement by the Foreign Ministry regarding implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear programme

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In view of the strategy announced by President of the United States Donald Trump with respect to Iran, the Russian Foreign Ministry reiterates its position that aggressive and threatening rhetoric is unacceptable in international relations. They are relics of the past and inconsistent with modern norms of civilised communication between states. Attempts to employ such methods to address foreign policy tasks that affect the fundamental security interests of other countries are doomed to failure.

We regret the US President’s decision not to recertify to Congress Tehran’s faithful compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear programme. At the same time, we see it as an element of internal political discussions within the framework of US national legislation. We hope that this move will have no direct impact on the implementation of the agreement, though it is clearly at odds with the spirit and letter of the JCPOA.

The JCPOA is multilateral in nature and backed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015), and it has already contributed to strengthening international peace and stability as well as to creating a more predictable atmosphere in the Middle East. Instead of questioning the results of the JCPOA’s implementation at a time when it is only beginning to “get on its feet” and pay concrete dividends, it would be better to focus on the full-fledged realisation of its potential. Everyone would benefit from this.

The JCPOA is effectively addressing the tasks that were set before it. Iran has been strictly complying with its commitments, which is regularly confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This includes access to Iranian sites of interest to the IAEA.

In any case, irrespective of the decisions of certain signatories, there can be no return to the situation around the Iranian programme prior to the adoption of the JCPOA. In particular, any resumption of sanctions through the UN is out of the question.

Russia remains committed to the JCPOA and has a stake in preserving it, and will continue fulfilling its obligations under it. We are calling on all the other signatories to follow suit.