Tehran, Iran, July 25
By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has reacted to recent statements by US Secretary of State John Kerry.
The following is a summary: As we have always asserted, the Iranian nation has resisted all international pressure in pursuing its peaceful nuclear program, something Mr. Kerry briefly mentioned today. But, it is a pity that the US foreign minister used the trite expression about America's ability to use the military force. Mr. Kerry knows well that the futility of such words has been well proven in the course of the nuclear negotiations. Such talk belonged to the previous century, whereas today international regulations prevail. Even Mr. Kerry himself and other US officials have often said that such threats have had no impact on Iran. Therefore, it would be better if Americans unlearn their language of threat once and for all.
The reason for Iran's lack of trust with the US is the unfriendly policies of the US throughout the past 60 years, including orchestrating coups, support for the Pahlavi regime, backing Saddam Hussein in its crimes against the people of Iran and Iraq, and imposing unfair sanctions.
Unfortunately, Mr. Kerry today mixed the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) with Resolution 2231. It has been clearly pointed out in the agreement that the points stated in the resolution are not to be interpreted as those of the agreement. Some of what Mr. Kerry said about Iran's regional activities and support for its allies who are fighting in the forefront against the ISIL have no place in the agreement.
Iran's policies regarding regional issues and relations with the US are very clear. Iranian officials stand by the country's armed forces in following a single policy defined by the Supreme Leader and there is no difference between the military and non-military officials. Attempts to create schism between the officials of the Islamic Republic are doomed to failure.
In an address to the Council on Foreign Relations earlier the day, Kerry said if the U.S. were to back out of the deal now, military conflict against Iran would become increasingly likely.
"We'd go right back to square one where we were with no alternatives. Iran is enriching, we have no inspections, we have no ability to know what they are doing, we don't roll back their program, we're back where we were and we are going to head to conflict," he said. "When they start to enrich, you can hear every presidential candidate in the country say, 'What are you going to do, Mr. President? They're enriching.'"