In an interview with the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, Dr Fouad Izadi evaluated as positive Iran’s fifth step in reducing its JCPOA commitments. He said taking this step by Iran has been linked with the incidents of targeting General Qassem Suleimani and these two cannot be separated.

Cancellation of New Negotiations

He continued: “Although the timing of taking this step had previously been announced, it coincided with the martyrdom of General Suleimani. Part of the ruling establishment believed until last week if the sanctions were lifted, even if the United States has violated or withdrawn from JCPOA, the deal could be maintained by reconsidering a reduction in JCPOA commitments, but they concluded that this would not work as long as Trump is in the White House.

Consensus on JCPOA Being Not Operational

Reminding that from the fourth step onwards, Iran’s backtracking on JCPOA commitments were serious, the academic said, “There is a consensus in the country under the current situation that JCPOA will not be operational at least as long as Trump is in the White House. Some may also be concerned regarding Europeans, but we have seen that their performance has been weak and/or they have kept complete silence after the assassination of Commander Qassem Suleimani, and they did not dare to voice limited objection to the assassination of a senior military official of an independent country which is a member of the United Nations. They did not want to protest.

European JCPOA Is Out of Question

Izadi said: The story of European JCPOA and its related issues is more or less out of question and it is unlikely that anyone would wait for Europeans to take action. This does not mean fighting against Europe and/or strife and confrontation, but it does mean that one can no longer pin hope on the Europeans.

He said: “With the Europeans’ argument being out of the question, there is no longer any justification for pinning hope on JCPOA, and the final step should ultimately contain this very same concept.”  In this line, targeting General Suleimani has also justified and if NPT would not have any positive outcomes for the country, like JCPOA withdrawing from it could be put on the agenda, too.

Izadi added: Under the current situation, it is the other side that must be held accountable for its illegal activities, and this is an opportunity for the Islamic Republic of Iran to design and make moves in line with safeguarding its national interests.

The Euro-American affairs analyst referred to the statement of the three European states on Iran’s new JCPOA decision and the baseless claim of “carrying out violent acts by Iran”, adding it was said from the very beginning that Europe either did not want to or could not stand against the United States and Donald Trump’s excessive demands.

Europe May Launch Trigger Mechanism

Describing the consequences of the fifth and final step in reducing Iran’s commitments to the JCPOA, he said, “Europeans may under the current situation go along with the US and if they could, implement the trigger mechanism. He added, “Iran cannot implement a multilateral agreement alone.” The Europeans have left JCPOA, but they have not officially declared it. They expect Iran to implement an agreement that they would not.

Izadi emphasized: Costs should be defined for the wrongdoings of the other party. If no cost is charged, they will beef up anti-Iran measures. If you define the cost, they will have to think before it wants to make a move.