Speaking in a Monday press conference in Tehran, Kanaani noted that Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has explained Iran’s latest stance on JCPOA revival talks in a recent statement, adding, however, that parties to the deal will continue to exchange messages via various channels.
“The nuclear issue is not only the Islamic Republic of Iran’s issue,” said the spokesperson, adding that High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has been conducting consultations with parties to the JCPOA, including the United States and Iran.
He said Iran has clear stances and viewpoints on how to revive the JCPOA as he argued that other parties to deal have their own stakes in committing to a continuation of the talks.
He said Iran will try to utilize diplomatic tools to revive the JCPOA to pursue the removal of the cruel and illegal sanctions imposed by the US on the country, adding that other parties to the deal have also shown that they are interested in preserving the agreement.
However, Kanaani said Iran will wait to see some concrete actions by the Western governments on the deal.
Asked about direct talks between the US and Iran, he said that the Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations Saeid Iravani explained earlier this month in a statement that the two countries have not been involved in any type of direct negotiations.
As to Iran’s frozen assets in South Korea, the spokesman said that the Iranian people have a right to see their funds in South Korea returned to the country, adding that the issue should not be tied to other diplomatic issues.
Kanaani regretted the fact that the South Korean government has not cooperated properly on the issue of frozen funds, adding that Tehran’s future moves on the case will depend on Seoul’s decisions.
Pointing to the United States’ role in recent riots in Iran, Kanaani underlined that the US has a long history of hypocrisy towards the Iranian nation, adding that Washington has always adopted wrong and unconstructive policies towards the country and its people.
“The extensive (regime of) unilateral and oppressive sanctions of the US on Iran are clear examples of crime against humanity,” he said.
On the European Parliament’s hostile stances towards Iran, Kanaani said that Tehran has conveyed its protest messages to the Europeans to warn them against the consequences of any move to blacklist the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).
“The IRGC is a large force for defending the territorial integrity and national security of Iran,” he said, adding that any assault on the force would be considered an assault on the national security of Iran.
The official said the Europeans are well aware that Iran will not be short of options to react to improper decisions adopted by the European Union and its subsidiaries.
“It would be better for them not to shoot themselves in the foot,” said Kanaani.
Answering a question on a potential prisoner swap between the US and Iran, Kanaani explained that Tehran is serious about to the issue which has been mediated through a third party. He also urged the US administration to act responsibly on the issue.
He further referred to cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying that the Islamic Republic will continue to have a constructive collaboration with the UN nuclear watchdog.
The official noted that the Iranian mission in Vienna has held talks with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, adding that he could visit Tehran at the earliest convenient time.
Touching upon Iran’s alleged drone supply to Russia during the war in Ukraine, Kanaani said that the Ukrainian and Iranian delegations have held talks the issue.
The spokesman said that the Iranian side of the talks has presented explanations about the case during the talks, adding that the Ukrainians have failed to offer documents to substantiate their claims.
Kanaani argued that the Islamic Republic has time and again announced its official stance on the issue, adding that some unfounded accusations are being leveled against Iran to put political pressures on the country.
On efforts to resume diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia, he said that any gesture that could promote friendship with the Saudis are welcomed warmly in Iran.
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