Iran Rejects Step-for-step JCPOA Revival - Senior Official

By Staff, Press TV

A senior Iranian security official said the Islamic Republic is opposed to a step-for-step return to the 2015 nuclear deal, adding that the country only accepts the lifting of sanctions in a verifiable manner before returning to full compliance with the multilateral agreement.

Speaking to Press TV on the condition of anonymity on Wednesday, the official said that the new US administration has failed to lift the sanctions that the ex-team at the White House imposed on Iran after leaving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [JCPOA] in May 2018.

The only way for Tehran to return to its JCPOA commitments is for Washington to lift all the sanctions, the official added.

If the sanctions are not lifted, he added, Iran will go ahead with the next steps in reducing its commitments under the agreement in the near future.

America’s mere words and superficial actions are unacceptable to Iran, the official said, stressing that the country will only accept the full removal of sanctions following verification.

He added that Iran will not hold any official or unofficial talks with the US before the removal of sanctions.

The security official dismissed talks on other topics unrelated to Iran’s nuclear issues, saying other issues such as the Islamic Republic’s defense and missile capability as well as its regional role have nothing to do at all with the JCPOA.