Iran continues to tighten the noose on the nuclear deal
Tehran has this time directed its threats towards blocking the inspections that the International Atomic Energy Agency is due to carry out next month at its various facilities. Iran has made it a condition for avoiding the blockade that the United States finally decides to lift the sanctions on the country.
The new US administration has repeatedly stated that it wants to bring the US back into the nuclear deal with Iran and thus ease relations, but Iran wants to make the most of this possibility. Sanctions were reinstated by Donald Trump after he pulled the US out of the landmark 2015 deal, and since then Iran has threatened to renege on its commitments despite European mediation, something it has been doing especially in recent months.
The 2015 nuclear deal, the so-called JCPOA, obliges Iran to receive visits from IAEA inspectors and give them broad access to information on its nuclear activities, with full inspection capability for any anomalies. Iran's government spokesman has announced that the restrictions on inspections will begin on 19 February, giving Biden a month to decide how he will handle relations with Tehran.
Iran's parliament passed a bill to "free" the country from inspections and obligations under the nuclear deal if sanctions were not lifted within two months, in an attempt to pressure and accelerate US moves. It has also pointed out that this decision can be quickly reversed, showing that the impact of sanctions on the Iranian economy is taking its toll, and that there is a real willingness on Iran's part to continue with its commitments made in 2015.
France has called on Iran to put aside provocations and fulfil its obligations regardless of the US return to the nuclear deal. Iran, the Elysée notes, "is a party to the JCPOA, so it must honour its commitments and respect them". Paris has asserted that there must be a discussion with the US on the steps to be taken to formalise its entry into the JCPOA.
Iran, supported in this regard by Russia, points out why it should comply if the US decided to pull out of the agreement and impose sanctions. Tehran stresses that 'it should be the United States that should take the first step'.
Outside the JCPOA, Israel has once again warned of the risk of Iran developing its nuclear programme. Aviv Kochavi, a senior Israeli military official, has called on Joe Biden to maintain the position adopted by his predecessor on Iran. That is, to exert "maximum possible pressure to dissuade Tehran from taking further steps towards nuclear weapons".
Kochavi pointed to the alliance that exists between his country and other Gulf countries, as well as Egypt, in the fight against Iranian influence and capabilities. The Israeli expressed concern that there could be a nuclear escalation in the Middle East region if Iran's programme continues. Kochavi added that he will continue to act in its immediate surroundings, such as Syria, to continue attacking Iran's support in these countries and undermine its regional influence, which is very present not only in Syria, but also in Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. "Iran is not only a problem for Israel, but for the world in general," he stressed.