TEHRAN, Iran, Aug 1 (NNN-IRNA) – Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said that, the Islamic Republic is determined to suspend more of its commitments, under a 2015 landmark nuclear deal, if the European signatories fail to uphold their end of the deal.
Zarif made the remarks on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
He referred to the EU-designed special payment channel with Iran, complaining that, it is still in its preliminary stage and is yet to become operational.
European Union announced the launch of EU’s special payment channel with Iran, namely INSTEX, in Jan, to secure trade with Iran and skirt U.S. anti-Iran sanctions.
He also criticised what he called U.S. interference in the implementation of EU payment channel, saying, “INSTEX should not be turned into a tool for carrying out U.S. orders and (enable) them (Americans) to decide how this mechanism can function.”
Zarif urged Europe to “use courage to act, based on its commitments, not on the American demands.”
According to a report, the INSTEX would initially only entail deals in products such as pharmaceuticals and food, which are not subject to U.S. sanctions.
The Islamic republic started withdrawal from parts of its obligations under the deal, in two intervals since May, 2019, one year after U.S. exit from the deal.– NNN-IRNA
