According to the Persian-language version of the Euronews website, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Friday said he does not rule out Tehran's withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (JCPOA) in the coming weeks.
#Iran Deputy FM Araqchi: Nuclear deal is in ICU; there’s possibility of Iran’s exit from #JCPOA in the coming weeks. pic.twitter.com/46zNzGTaHg
— Press TV (@PressTV) 22 июня 2018 г.
"I cannot say that the prospect of the continuation of negotiations with Europe is clear and can lead us to achieve a joint package for saving the JCPOA," Araqchi noted, adding that the deal was "in the intensive care unit" as a result of the "US withdrawal."
The announcement comes after Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote in an article on Wednesday Tehran would return to the negotiating table with the United States if it sticks to the 2015 nuclear pact, which requires Tehran to maintain a peaceful nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
In May US President Donald Trump pulled out of the JCPOA. The step was taken despite Iran was proved by the international organizations to be in compliance with the deal. Other countries, including Russia, China, France, Germany and the UK refused to withdraw from the deal, confirming their commitment to the JCPOA.