Describing defense programs as Iran’s sovereign right, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said Tehran will continue to promote its defense capabilities irrespective of the US sanctions.
In a telephone conversation on Tuesday, Amirabdollahian and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian talked about various issues, including Tehran-Paris relations and the Vienna talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal.
Describing the defense programs as a sovereign right of the Islamic Republic, Amirabdollahian said Iran will powerfully continue to boost its defense power irrespective of the unconstructive behavior of the US, which has imposed sanctions on Tehran.
Slamming the fresh US sanctions as proof that Iran rightfully has a mistrust of the US, the foreign minister said Washington’s return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) must come with guarantees and the verifiable removal of sanctions.
While the US is responsible for the current circumstances surrounding the JCPOA, the three European parties to the deal –France, the UK, and Germany- are also culpable for their silence on the US’ excessive demands, the top Iranian diplomat said.
“Iran is after the achievement of a good deal, but such a thing has requirements, including the return of the other parties to their full commitments and the effective termination of sanctions,” Amirabdollahian underlined.
Highlighting Iran’s seriousness in the JCPOA talks and its readiness for the immediate achievement of a good deal, the Iranian foreign minister underlined that the International Atomic Energy Agency must avoid politicization of issues as Tehran does continue its technical cooperation with the UN nuclear agency.
Iran adopts a pragmatic and results-oriented approach both in the bilateral relations and the nuclear negotiations, he noted, expressing hope that the consultations between Tehran and Paris would result in the practical advancement of mutual cooperation.
Iran and France have great capacities, Amirabdollahian noted, voicing Tehran’s readiness for the expansion of relations with Paris on the basis of mutual respect and common interests.
For his part, Le Drian said France supports the return of all parties to the JCPOA and will do its utmost to that end.
He also expressed hope that the upcoming Vienna talks on the revival of the JCPOA would make rapid progress.
The deputies of Amirabdollahian and Le Drian meet in Paris today for talks on the bilateral, regional and international issues.
