Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, hit back at comments from the French foreign minister on Wednesday and blamed the West’s “deceptive strategy” for delaying a revival of the JCPOA, not Iran’s domestic politics.
On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said there were “certain tactical problems” and “internal” issues in Iran, like the upcoming presidential elections, delaying talks to revive the JCPOA.
Shamkhani responded to Le Drian’s comments on Twitter. “Nothing will happen unless the #UnitedStates takes effective actions to lift the oppressive #sanctions,” Shamkhani said. “The current stalemate is not tactical and domestic, but related to the West’s deceptive strategy.”
While the European signatories to the JCPOA claim they are trying to preserve the deal, they constantly blame Iran for Washington’s failure to comply with the agreement by lifting sanctions.
Iranian officials have urged the US to move quickly to revive the deal due to Iran’s upcoming June elections, warning that a government in transition may not be able to take the necessary steps. The US could lift sanctions, and Iran would comply. But since Biden is demanding Iran act first, some negotiations will be needed.
The E3 is pathetic…!