Iran is ready to resume negotiations with Europe on the JCPOA

Iran has expressed its readiness to discuss the restoration of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on its nuclear program with the European Union, provided the latter has the necessary political will. This was stated by the representative of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Kanaani. 

«We are committed to a diplomatic solution to the issue. The negotiations can be completed soon if the political will is shown on the part of the enemy,» he said at a press conference. Kanaani stressed the importance of returning all parties to fulfilling their obligations under the agreement. 

At the end of last year, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran was increasing its stockpile of enriched uranium. This caused concern in the EU and Brussels announced the need to return to fulfilling the terms of the nuclear deal.

The JCPOA was signed in 2015 between Iran and six international mediators (Britain, Germany, China, Russia, the United States, France), providing for the lifting of sanctions against Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program. However, in 2018, the United States, under the leadership of Donald Trump, withdrew from the agreement, resuming sanctions against Iran, to which Tehran responded by gradually reducing its obligations under the deal. 

The current US president, Joe Biden, has expressed his willingness to return to the agreement under certain conditions.