Supreme Leader: Maintaining or Imposing Sanctions Invalidates Nuclear Deal

Thursday, 22 October 2015

Supreme Leader: Maintaining or Imposing Sanctions Invalidates Nuclear Deal

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that the US stance toward Iran’s nuclear program is nothing but animosity caused by the nature and identity of the Islamic Republic.

"As long as the Islamic Republic continues to disappoint and resist the US hegemony, the animosity will remain," his eminence wrote in a letter to President Sheikh Hassan Rouhani about the latest nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group.

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the need for strong and adequate guarantees, such as a written announcement from US president and the EU on lifting sanctions, to prevent the other side from violating its commitments.

The Leader stressed that throughout the 8-year term, the imposition of sanctions at any level and under any pretext from any of the negotiating countries would mean the violation of the JCPOA and the Iranian government would then cease its own commitments under the accord.

He also stressed that the point of reference is the text of the negotiations itself and not the interpretations of the other side.

Ayatollah Khamenei further asserted that Arak reactor modernization while maintaining its heavy water function will start only after signing a reliable contract for an alternative design.

On the issue of enriched uranium transaction, the Leader also stressed on a reliable contract followed by adequate guarantees.

Ayatollah Khamenei issued an order to the AEOI to organize nuclear research and development, so that by the end of the 8-year term there will be no lack of necessary technology for the accepted level of enrichment in the JCPOA.

The Leader also ordered for a strong and knowledgeable team to be formed in order to observe and monitor the progress and the execution of commitments by the other side.

In the letter, the Leader expressed his appreciation towards the negotiating team for the tremendous efforts it is exerting.

Iran and P5+1 experts discussed technical aspects of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Saturday in Vienna and the outcomes of this session was presented to the first meeting of the joint commission on Monday.

Experts from Iran and P5+1 will continue discussions on details for implementation of JCPOA this afternoon.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Sunday that Iran will enforce the Additional Protocol voluntarily and temporarily once the JCPOA goes into effect.

The Additional Protocol allows IAEA reinforced and intrusive inspections to Iranian nuclear sites and requires that information be provided on all activities regarding the nuclear fuel cycle.

Iran, a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), voluntarily implemented the Additional Protocol between 2003 and 2005, but ceased to apply it in reaction to referral of its nuclear file to the United Nations Security Council by the IAEA Board of Governors.