It is a ‘mistake’ to quit nuclear deal, British envoy says

TEHRAN – The British ambassador to Tehran says his country is doing everything possible to prevent the collapse of the nuclear deal, stressing that the U.S. and Iran would be “making a mistake” if they pull out of the international agreement.

No reason to stay in a deal it offers no benefits: Araqchi

TEHRAN -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi believes if the United States withdraws from the nuclear deal, the entire nuclear agreement collapses and then Iran might as well do so since there will be no benefits in staying in.

Lavrov: Russia and China will block U.S. attempt to sabotage nuclear deal 

UN, Russia, EU, Germany, France reiterate support for nuclear deal

TEHRAN – Top officials representing world powers and international bodies have voiced support for the JCPOA, Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with the 5+1 group, amid worries that U.S. President Donald Trump might go on with his promise to nix the deal on May 22 if his desired amendments are not made to it.

Takht-Ravanchi: Trump will ‘pay the price’ if he rips nuclear deal

TEHRAN – Majid Takht-Ravanchi, deputy director of the presidential chief of staff for political affairs, has warned against the consequences of U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement, saying Trump will have to “pay the price” if he exits the deal.

By Mohammad Ghaderi

Decoding Pompeo's words at U.S. Senate

TEHRAN - The CIA Director "Mike Pompeo", who is nominee for Secretary of State, has recently mentioned meaningful words in his hearing at the Senate on Iran and the nuclear deal. In his words, he acknowledged that Iran was not after nuclear weapons even before the nuclear deal, nor will be in the future.

Zarif: Iran’s reaction will be ‘unpleasant’ if Trump quits nuclear deal

TEHRAN - Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Thursday that Iran has a variety of options in store that will make the United States “regret” if it leaves the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

By Mohammad Ghaderi - Twitter: @ghaderi62

Plan of U.S. and Europe for JCPOA

TEHRAN - Evidences suggest that the United States is likely to withdraw from the nuclear deal with Iran. The appointment of "John Bolton" as the U.S. National Security Advisor and "Mike Pompeo" as Trump's Secretary of State, have sent certain signals to those following the JCPOA news.

EU fails to agree new Iran sanctions as Trump deadline nears

The European Union failed to agree new sanctions against Iran on Monday amid Italy’s opposition and fears that punishing Tehran for its missile program and regional role would not stop U.S. President Donald Trump from abandoning a separate nuclear deal.

Albright: Exiting Iran deal would hurt U.S. reputation

TEHRAN – Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has criticized President Donald Trump for trying to exit the Iran nuclear deal, saying such an act could “undermine America’s reputation for trustworthiness.”

Ex-British envoy criticizes EU policies toward nuclear deal

TEHRAN – Peter Jenkins, the former British ambassador to the IAEA, has highlighted the importance of the nuclear deal, saying he opposes Europe’s policy to impose sanctions against Tehran to appease Donald Trump.

The Iran deal was designed to be too big to fail: Haley

TEHRAN – U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley slammed the Iran nuclear deal on Thursday night by saying it was “designed to be too big to fail.”

Iran warns of threats of nuclear deal violation for international security

TEHRAN – Those who seek to kill the nuclear deal with Iran will be responsible for its negative consequences for the international order and security, Iran’s defense minister warned on Wednesday.

‘Nuclear deal top foreign policy issue in new year’

TEHRAN – The nuclear deal and its fate is Tehran’s top foreign policy issue in the new Persian year, a former Iranian ambassador and Foreign Ministry spokesperson has said.

Qassemi: No bright future for nuclear deal on the horizon

TEHRAN – Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi says he does not predict a bright future for the Iran nuclear deal in the upcoming Iranian New Year.

Moscow not committed to possible anti-Iran sanctions: envoy

TEHRAN – Russia’s ambassador to Tehran Levan Dzhagaryan has said that Moscow will not be committed to possible new sanctions against Iran by European countries and the United States.

Russia: Nuclear deal not requiring any supplements

TEHRAN – The Russian ambassador to the international organizations in Vienna said on Friday that the Iran nuclear deal does not require any supplementary agreements.

Iran, U.S. diplomats hold mutual talks on JCPOA: source

TEHRAN – The Iranian diplomatic team visiting Vienna for regular talks on the implementation of the nuclear deal (JCPOA) has said diplomats from Iran and the U.S. were likely to hold mutual talks on Friday on the international nuclear agreement, an source close to the Iranian diplomatic team said on Friday.

By Mohammad Ghaderi and Javad Heiran-Nia

Europe, Iran baffled by U.S. position on nuclear deal

TEHRAN - During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) “the worst deal ever” for the U.S.

Assembly of Experts raps U.S. for nuclear deal violations

TEHRAN – The Assembly of Experts has condemned the United States for blatantly violating the terms of the nuclear agreement, urging the government to take appropriate measures in response to Washington’s moves.

‘Iran to ditch nuclear deal if Europe fails to convince U.S.’

TEHRAN – Citing Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, a top lawmaker said on Wednesday that should the Europeans fail to convince the U.S. to stay in the nuclear agreement, Tehran will exit the deal as well.

Trump says he fired Tillerson due to disagreement over Iran deal

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he dismissed Rex Tillerson as secretary of state at least in part over a disagreement on how best to proceed with the Iran nuclear deal.

Nuclear deal ‘must not be touched’: France’s Le Drian

TEHRAN – French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has ruled out any changes to the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, saying that the agreement “must not be touched”.

‘U.S. push to fix nuclear deal could disrupt regional equilibrium’

TEHRAN – Jean-Pierre Darnis, head of the Security and Defense Program at the Italian Institute of International Affairs (IAI), has said the U.S. administration’s push to “fix” the 2015 Iran nuclear deal could disrupt the regional balance of power.

Iran wants no part in Europe’s game of appeasing Trump: Zarif

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned Europe that Iran wants no part in its “futile” game of appeasing U.S. President Donald Trump.

Weapon of mass seduction lands in Tehran

TEHRAN – His people are known for seductiveness, but it would be naive to think it only means in love. In what would naturally pass as a friendly visit to Tehran, which would include opening an exhibition of The Louvre, the French foreign minister has some hard talk to deliver.

Tehran confirms Zarif, Kerry met in Munich

TEHRAN - Tehran has confirmed that the Iranian foreign minister and his former American counterpart met during the Munich Security Conference on February 18.

State Department OKs nuclear monitoring system for Iran

The Donald Trump administration is allowing high-tech U.S. exports to Iran that could boost international oversight of the 2015 nuclear deal, Al-Monitor reported.

EU should press U.S. over JCPOA: nuclear official

TEHRAN – The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has called on European countries to put pressure on the United States regarding its lack of commitment to the nuclear deal, also called the JCPOA.

Iranian diplomat says missiles are matter of ‘national security’

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has said Tehran will not compromise on its missile defense program, noting missiles are necessary to guard the country against possible foreign aggression.

By Javad Heirannia

Nixing JCPOA against U.S., Iran interests: former senator

TEHRAN – Bennett Johnston, an American politician in the Democratic Party and lobbyist who represented Louisiana in the United States Senate is the current chairman of the American-Iranian Council.  Mr. Johnston is of the opinion that under the present circumstances, neither the EU nor Iran would accept Trump’s new conditions that undermine the Iran nuclear contract.