Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded yesterday with a “reality check” to the remarks made by newly installed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Jan. 27 in which Blinken said that Iran must return to full compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and only then will the U.S. consider rejoining it. In a posting on Twitter, titled “reality check for Blinken,” Zarif pointed out that it was the U.S. that violated that the JCPOA, blocked food and medicine to Iranians, and even punished adherence to the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the nuclear deal, reported Tasnim. “Throughout that sordid mess, Iran abided by JCPOA, only took foreseen remedial measures. Now, who should take 1st step?” Zarif asked. “Never forget Trump’s maximum failure,” he told the new American Secretary.
Iranian Speaker of the Parliament (Majles) Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, meanwhile, during a tour of the Fordow enrichment facility, yesterday, announced that the site has produced 17 kg of 20% enriched uranium in less than a month, reported Tasnim. This is well ahead of the pace set in the December act of parliament which mandated 120 kg in 12 months. Qalibaf stressed that all of Iran’s activities are in compliance with the JCPOA, and that Tehran is by no means bound to honor the deal when the other side has failed to do so. Qalibaf said the Majles can allow the country’s return to the JCPOA commitments as soon as the other side honors the nuclear deal and lifts all of the sanctions, including the banking, oil and trade bans.
