Rouhani: Practical Removal of US Sanctions Will Take Iran Back to JCPOA

By Staff, Agencies 

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani confirmed that his country will resume honoring the 2015 nuclear deal in full as soon as the US lifts all sanctions in practice, saying the ball is now in the court of Washington.

In a telephone conversation with his Swiss counterpart Guy Parmelin on Tuesday, Rouhani ruled out the possibility of any renegotiation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [JCPOA], saying the US should practically lift its “illegal” sanctions in the first place in order for the agreement to get back on track.

“The ball is in the US court now. When it lifts illegal sanctions in practice, everything will return to the right path,” Rouhani said.

He further highlighted that Iran’s strategy on the JCPOA has been “fully transparent”, adding if Washington lifts the sanctions in practice, and not only on paper, Tehran will resume the commitments it has suspended within the framework of its legal rights in response to America’s withdrawal from the deal in May 2018.

In parallel, Rouhani added that attempts to settle issues through threats, pressure and bullying against the Iranian people have definitely faced defeat, referring to the so-called maximum pressure campaign that the US launched against Iran after withdrawing from the JCPOA.

“The US maximum pressure has flatly failed due to the Iranian people’s resistance. Problems can be solved only through methods based on wisdom and mutual respect,” he said.