Iran Warns US against ‘Complicating Diplomatic Process’ to Revive Nuclear Deal

Iran’s government spokesman Ali Rabiei said Tuesday the US should not “overly complicate” diplomatic efforts, urging it to instead “unconditionally” return to the nuclear deal.

Speaking during a weekly press briefing, Rabiei said he was confident the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) will be revived in the near future, revealing that it was the focus of “constructive international contacts between the Iranian president and a number of his counterparts” in recent days.

“The nuclear deal is the only way that ensures peace in the world and benefits the interests of all countries,” he said, adding that the JCPOA is an “internationally approved law and the US has no choice but to respect it.”

“If the US is thinking of any other way, it is just wasting the valuable time that could be used for advancing the interests of both countries,” he added.

Washington “is not in a position to set conditions for implementing its international commitments,” he continued.

“During the past four years, we kept the path of diplomacy open, not them. Today the US should take the first step in diplomacy, not us.”

US President Joe Biden has signaled his readiness to revive the deal, but insists Iran first return to all its nuclear commitments, most of which it suspended in response to American sanctions.

“Whenever the United States decides to fulfill its legal obligations under the UNSC resolution and lift the sanctions, we will fulfill all our commitments quickly,” Rabiei said.