Iran accuses US of trying to destroy historic nuclear deal

Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani said the US is looking for reasons to break the historic nuclear deal.

Shamkhani's statement came after the US demanded that Iran allow inspections of the Islamic Republic's military facilities. The criticism reflects growing tensions between the US and Iran over the international nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed by Iran and the P5+1 group.

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani. Photo: Reuters

Speaking on television, Mr. Shamkhani emphasized that Iran has no secret nuclear activities in any locality across the country. The issues raised are the US's plan to justify its non-compliance with its commitments.

Mr. Shamkhani criticized President Donald Trump's administration for looking for an excuse to destroy the international nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed by Iran with the P5+1 group (including the US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) more than 2 years ago.

He made it clear that Iran would only act within the framework of the agreements and specific guidelines of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and would not accept any obligations outside the framework of the agreement.

Earlier, on September 14, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif declared that it was impossible to renegotiate the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group. Mr. Zarif stated that a better deal than the current Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was "completely unthinkable" and that it was time for the US to comply with the agreement like Iran.

The US has repeatedly requested inspections of Iran's military facilities as part of its process to verify compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal. The United Nations, meanwhile, has said it has no obligation to inspect Iran's military facilities unless there is a suspicion of illegal activity.

The United Nations also said it had doubled the number of inspections in Iran since the landmark nuclear deal it signed with world powers in July 2015, saying there was no evidence that nuclear material was being transported to military facilities or other locations.

Regarding the international agreement on Iran's nuclear issue, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said on September 15 that the US should not withdraw from the agreement.

Speaking to reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York, US about the message Russia wants to send to the US in a possible meeting between Iran and the P5+1 group, Mr. Nebenzia said: "Stay in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. This agreement is very important. This is not only Russia's message but also that of all parties to the agreement as well as outside countries."

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, signed in July 2015 after years of tense relations between Iran and the West, saw Iran limit its uranium enrichment activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. However, the deal is now in danger of collapsing due to recent tensions between the US and Iran.

US President Donald Trump called the deal “a disaster” and the “worst deal ever” during his election campaign last year. This month, Donald Trump signed new sanctions against Iran over its missile program.

The US administration is about to review its policy towards Iran. As early as October 15, Donald Trump will have to make a decision on whether to maintain this treaty or not, taking into account whether Iran has complied with this agreement and whether it is beneficial to US national security or not./.

According to VOV