BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 14. Discussions about
Iran’s nuclear program no longer have economic, but political
goals, said Bahman Arman, an Iranian economic analyst, Trend reports.
According to him, as a result of the US imposing new sanctions
after withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
(JCPOA) related to Iran’s nuclear program, necessary equipment and
spare parts cannot imported to Iran in various fields. Because the
countries that produce the mentioned equipment and spare parts do
not want to face US sanctions.
“It can be said that the sanctions have brought all economic
sectors of Iran to its knees. It is clear from the content of the
nuclear talks held so far that the discussions are not focused on
the negative effects of sanctions on Iran’s economy. More political
issues and disputes are being discussed,” Arman added.
The analyst also pointed out that in discussions about Iran’s
nuclear program, the opposite parties (the US, the UK, France,
Russia, China and Germany) do not pay serious attention to Iran’s
economic interests. Instead, all parties to the nuclear debate
focus on their own interests.
Arman noted that Iran’s nuclear negotiating team should keep
Iran’s economy in the main focus in all discussions. Iran’s goal
should be to revive the country’s economy and develop itself in all
areas.
“The recent indirect talks between Iran and the US have resulted
in the exchange of prisoners between the two countries and the
unblocking of Iran’s frozen assets in abroad. With the unblocking
of frozen assets in South Korea, those funds can only be spent to a
limited extent. This is not very effective for Iran’s economy,” he
said.
On May 8, 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group
(Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany) and imposed
new sanctions against Iran as of November 2018.
Over the past period, the sanctions affected Iranian oil exports
and more than 700 banks, companies, and individuals. The sanctions
have resulted in the freezing of Iranian assets abroad.
On January 16, 2016, Iran’s nuclear program precipitated the
establishment of the JCPOA between Iran and the P5+1 group (the
United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, and
Germany). The US announced its departure from the agreement in May
2018 and implemented sanctions on Iran in November of the same
year. To sustain the agreements established as part of the JCPOA,
European signatories began in January 2019, and INSTEX, a financial
vehicle for continuing trade with Iran, was formed.
On May 8, 2019, Iran announced that it will no longer meet its
duties under the pact to sell more than 300 kilograms of uranium,
citing the failure of other signatories to do so.
On July 7, Iran announced that it would not be fulfilling its
commitments regarding the enrichment of uranium at 3.67 percent and
the reconstruction of the Arak Heavy Water Reactor Facility as
stated in the deal.
On September 5 of the same year, Iran announced its commitment
to enrich uranium using next-generation centrifuges and not mix it
with the enriched uranium residues as part of the third step of
reducing commitments in the JCPOA.
On November 5, 2019, Iran announced that it had taken the fourth
step in connection with reducing its commitments to the nuclear
agreement. So, uranium gas is being pumped to the centrifuges at
the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.
On January 5, 2020, Iran took the last fifth step in reducing
the number of its commitments within the JCPOA.
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