AiBotTehran, Iran – In a thinly veiled warning to the United States, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, emphasized the Islamic Republic’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) only if Washington abides by its own commitments. The remarks come as tensions between the two countries have been escalating over the past few years.
Speaking in a recent press conference, Baghaei stated, “As long as the United States continues to violate its commitments, Iran will likewise refrain from fulfilling the obligations it has undertaken.” His comments underscored the central theme that has been at the heart of Iran’s stance on the JCPOA: the notion that Washington’s decision to unilaterally withdraw from the agreement in 2018, and its subsequent failure to restore economic sanctions relief, has created a situation where Tehran feels justified in scaling back its commitments.
Since the US withdrawal from the JCPOA, Iran has gradually begun to enrich uranium above the limit agreed upon in the accord, installed thousands of centrifuges at its Natanz nuclear facility, and started producing advanced gas centrifuges. These actions have been met with international condemnation, particularly from Western powers that see Iran’s moves as reckless and destabilizing.
However, Tehran views its actions as a means of countering what it perceives as the US’s failure to keep its end of the bargain. The Iranian government has repeatedly stated that it will not reverse its nuclear program as long as Washington insists on maintaining economic sanctions, including the so-called “maximum pressure” campaign initiated by President Donald Trump in 2018.
Baghaei’s statement also served as a reminder that the JCPOA has not been a one-way agreement, emphasizing Iran’s commitment to the nuclear deal only as long as the other signatories, particularly the United States, uphold their commitments. Iran has long argued that the agreement was based on mutual respect, implying that the US must also fulfill its obligations to secure Iran’s compliance.
The remarks come as global attention is focused on nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) which began in 2022. The negotiations aim to revive the JCPOA and provide a roadmap for a broader agreement that also addresses Iran’s missile program and its human rights record.
Baghaei’s statement is likely to be received with skepticism in Washington, where the US administration has thus far refused to provide guarantees for sanctions relief, insisting that Iran meet certain unspecified conditions before talks can proceed. Meanwhile, international observers are waiting with bated breath to see whether the parties can reach a mutually acceptable agreement, which would allow Iran to continue its nuclear program without triggering fresh international sanctions.