Russia voiced concerns on Wednesday over Iran’s possible withdrawal from 2015 nuclear Deal due to harsh rhetoric by the Unites States.
Mikhail Ulyanov, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control, said “there are indeed concerns because we see rather harsh rhetoric from the US administration and Tehran’s reciprocal tough rhetoric.”
“You ask if there is a threat of Tehran’s withdrawal? I believe that such an outcome would be a major failure for the entire international community,” Ulyanov told Sputnik.
The Russian diplomat pointed out that sanctions the US imposed on Iran last week create a “highly unfavorable climate” toward the further implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Ulyanov also addressed US President Donald Trump’s criticism of the JCPOA as “the worst deal ever negotiated.”
“Objectively, this agreement was and is, maybe not ideal, but the most optimal of the possible ways out of a very difficult situation. It is a reasonable and very delicate compromise.”
Iran, five permanent UN Security Council members, Germany and the European Union signed the JCPOA in July 2015.
Last week, Iran conducted a test ballistic missile launches purportedly in line with its defense programs. Claiming that the tests were a violation of the UN resolution, Washington imposed sanctions against 25 individuals and entities which provide support to Tehran’s ballistic missile program and to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force on Friday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also added that Moscow is in regular contacts with Washington and Tehran to reduce tensions surrounding the 2015 Iranian nuclear agreement.
Uliyanov said “such contacts are taking place.”
“We do this on a regular basis in contacts with all members of the ‘six’ [signatories to the Iranian nuclear deal] including Washington and Tehran. We try to promote the preservation of ta normal atmosphere around the implementation of the deal.”
Source: Sputnik
