TEHRAN(Bazaar) – Tariq Raouf, former Director General of the Atomic Energy Agency says JCPOA is functionally dead! A new arrangement is now required.
“Reportedly US wants Iran to first to cutback its nuclear activities to JCPOA limits. Which obviously is not acceptable to Iran.,” Rauf told Bazaar news agency.
Following is the text of the Bazaar interview with Tariq Raouf.
Q: Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian announced during his recent trip to Oman that he had received plans to revive the JCPOA. On the other hand, the Sultan of Oman is scheduled to visit Iran. It seems that the Sultan of Oman's visit to Iran can pave the way for beginning the nuclear talks. What is your assessment?
Possibly. But I do not see any serious interest from Washington, as Biden regime is occupied with Ukraine, immigration, banking crisis, inflation etc.
Q: The details of the plan that Oman informed Amir-Abdollahian will not be published. But before that, it was announced that the US wants an interim agreement, which Iran rejected. It seems that Muscat's plan is related to this proposal. What is your assessment?
A: Don't know, but reportedly US wants Iran to first to cutback its nuclear activities to JCPOA limits. Which obviously is not acceptable to Iran. Iran in turn wants to see US sanctions relief, first. There is no meeting point for discussions.
Q: It was recently announced that European countries had a meeting with some non-permanent members of the UN Security Council in order to investigate the activation of the snapback mechanism against Iran. Do you think this is more of a promotional issue or not?
A: If the US wants snapback under UNSCR 2231`, it can get its way arguing that under JCPOA there is no requirement for UNSC permission or new resolution. US can trigger it even though US has left the JCPOA. Under current war conditions in Ukraine, EU is unable to resist the US. China and Russia would oppose snapback but US would insist no need for new resolution.
Q: Some sanctions related to Iran's missile and drone program (Under sunset clauses) will be lifted in this October. To what extent can this encourage the other side of the JCPOA to start talks?
A: Likely US/EU will try to oppose lifting of delivery vehicle sanctions or to prevent States from engaging with Iran on delivery systems. This will not impact any restart of JCPOA talks.
Q: Based on recent developments, to what extent do you consider the beginning of talks probable?
I am not optimistic. JCPOA is functionally dead! A new arrangement is now required.
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