Tehran will respond decisively to a repeated violation by the United States of Iran’s borders, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron by phone.
“If the Americans again want to violate Iran’s airspace or enter [Iranian] waters, Iran’s Armed Forces will oppose them and give a decisive response,” Rouhani said.
Rouhani went on to say that Iran is not interested in heightening tensions in the region and has never been after a war with any country, including the US.
“We have always remained committed to regional peace and stability and have done our best to contribute to the regional security,” he said.
He referred to Iran’s full compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal and the need for the Europeans to fulfill their promises to guarantee Iran’s economic benefits under the accord, including removing obstacles in the banking ties and the sale of oil.
Unfortunately, none of the Europeans’ promises have been fulfilled, Rouhani deplored.
“If Iran can’t benefit from the economic aspects of the JCPOA, it would scale down its commitments under the deal based on articles 26 and 36 of the nuclear accord,” he added, IFP News reported.
The Iranian president reiterated that Iran will never sit for another round of talks over what was achieved two years ago, saying that by violating international law through exerting pressure on the Iranian nation, the Americans showed that they are not after resolving issues.
Iran has always contributed to lasting developments in the region along with France and will do the same in the future, he stressed.
“If the other sides of the Iranian nuclear deal had lived up to their pledges under the nuclear accord, today, we could witness some positive and promising developments in the region.”
He also warned against further tensions in the region and said tensions will have no achievements for any sides in the region.
For his part, Macron expressed regret over the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal and imposition and intensification of sanctions against Iran, saying, “France has always attempted to save the JCPOA and persuade the other parties, especially the United States, to live up to it.”
He also referred to the status quo of the region and the downing of the American drone by Iran’s air defense systems, saying, “We need to promote cooperation and interaction with the aim of developing stability and security in the region.”
Macron stressed that all counties should attempt to prevent regional tensions from escalating, saying, “Many of the decisions made by the US government are of domestic use.”
Tensions between Tehran and Washington are mounting ever since the US abrupt withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal back in May 2018. A year later, the situation only worsens, with the United States unveiling batches of sanctions against the Islamic Republic, targeting the country’s finance, transport, military and other spheres.
Iran later announced that it had partially discontinued its commitments under the landmark accord and gave the other nuclear deal signatories — China, the European Union, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom — an ultimatum, saying it would in 60 days reduce some other obligations if they failed to protect Tehran’s interests.
Source: Sputnik
