Iran said on Monday that the time is not ripe for a proposed unofficial meeting with the US and the three European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, stressing that the US should lift sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic.

“In view of the recent stances and measures taken by the United States and the three European countries, the Islamic Republic of Iran believes this is not a good time for holding an unofficial meeting on the accord as proposed by the EU Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

“There has been no change in the United States’ stances and behavior, and the Biden administration has not only failed to abandon Trump’s failed policy of maximum pressure, but has also failed to declare its commitment to the implementation of all its obligations under the JCPOA and the UN Security Council Resolution 2231,” he added, referring to the official name of the deal, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The spokesman said the implementation of commitments by all parties to the JCPOA is not a matter of negotiation and give-and-take, noting that all such options were exhausted five years ago, the Iranian government’s official website reported.

“The path forward is quite clear: The US must end its unlawful and unilateral sanctions and return to its JCPOA commitments. This issue neither needs negotiation, nor a resolution by the (IAEA) Board of Governors,” Khatibzadeh added.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will respond to actions with action, and just as it will return to its JCPOA commitments with the removal of sanctions, it will also answer in kind to all hostile measures and behaviors,” the spokesman said.

Khatibzadeh noted, meanwhile, that the Islamic Republic will continue its close bilateral and multilateral consultations with the current parties to the JCPOA as well as Borrell as the JCPOA coordinator.

Source: Iranian media