BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 17
Trend:
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed hope that Japan and the European Union will persuade newly inaugurated U.S. President Joe Biden to lift crippling economic sanctions imposed on Tehran by his predecessor Donald Trump.
Calling Japan an old friend of Iran and noting its good relations with the United States, Mohammad Javad Zarif said in an interview with Kyodo News on Sunday that "We expect Japan to act as a friend, particularly when it comes to international law" -- suggesting that sanctions reimposed after Washington left the landmark nuclear deal in 2018 are illegal. Trend reports citing IRNA.
"Since the United States is violating international law, the best role that Japan can play is to show Americans that Japan will not implement their illegal decisions," he said.
Zarif specifically called on Japan to unfreeze Iranian assets frozen in Japanese banks due to U.S. sanctions, as a gesture to Iran by the new government of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who came to power last September.
According to Zarif, frozen assets in Japan and South Korea total close to $10 billion. Japan's share -- the main revenue from crude oil exports to Japan -- is estimated to be just under $3 billion.
He said the unfrozen funds could be used to procure medicines and food, including vaccines for the novel coronavirus.
On the role of the European Union, Zarif stressed EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell's responsibility to sequence a restoration of compliance with the nuclear accord by Washington and Tehran.
But the foreign minister ruled out direct negotiations with the Biden administration to that end.
"Mr.Borrell can specify the time frame in consultation with Iran and the United States. It is clear the United States has to take steps first. When Washington takes its steps, and we see the outcome, we can immediately take (steps) ourselves, and it is up to Borrell to choreograph these steps," Zarif said.
Zarif said the deal cannot be renegotiated.
He warned the window of opportunity to resolve the impasse will soon close as Iran's parliament has set Feb. 21 as the day to end nuclear watchdog inspections beyond the country's obligations under its safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"A law has been passed by parliament. That law has to be implemented," he said while pressing Biden's team to decide soon whether to return to the nuclear deal with Iran or continue Trump's legacy by not quickly lifting sanctions.
After that window closes, Zarif said, Iran will produce more enriched uranium and further promote its nuclear development.