Any assault on IRGC is assault on Iran's national security: Kanaani

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Jan 13:28
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The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson says the EU foreign policy chief has been conducting consultations with parties to the JCPOA.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani (IRNA)

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani pointed out on Monday that a halt to official negotiations on reviving Iran’s nuclear deal, formerly known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers does not mean that negotiating parties have ended communication on the matter via other channels.

Speaking in a press conference in Tehran, Kanaani said that parties to the deal will continue to exchange messages via several channels.

"The nuclear issue is not only the Islamic Republic of Iran’s issue," the Iranian Spokesperson pointed out, noting that the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has been conducting consultations with parties to the JCPOA, including the United States and Iran.

Kanaani said Tehran has clear stances and viewpoints on how to revive the JCPOA, adding that other parties to the deal have their own stakes in committing to resuming the talks and that Iran will wait to see some concrete actions by them.

Asked about direct talks between the US and Iran, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said the Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations, Saeid Iravani, explained earlier this month that the two sides have not been involved in any direct negotiations.

US has long history of hypocrisy toward Iran

Regarding Iran’s frozen assets in South Korea, Kanaani underlined that the Iranian people have the right to see their funds in South Korea returned to the country, expressing his regret that Seoul has not cooperated properly on this matter.

Touching on the US role in recent riots in Iran, Kanaani said the US has a long history of hypocrisy toward the Iranian nation, adding that Washington has always adopted wrong and unconstructive policies toward the country and its people.

He indicated that "the extensive (regime of) unilateral and oppressive sanctions of the US on Iran are clear examples of crime against humanity."

Any assault on IRGC is an assault on Iran's national security

Commenting on the European Parliament’s resolution to call on the European Union to blacklist the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), Kanaani said, "The IRGC is a large force for defending the territorial integrity and national security of Iran," warning that any assault on the IRGC would be considered an assault on Iran's national security.

The Iranian diplomat stressed that the Europeans are well aware that Tehran will not be short of options to react to improper decisions.

"It would be better for them not to shoot themselves in the foot," he noted.

Tehran serious about potential prisoner swap with the US

Responding to a question about a potential prisoner swap between the US and Iran, Kanaani said Tehran is serious about the matter which has been mediated through a third party, calling on Washington to act responsibly in this regard.

Regarding Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the spokesperson said Iran will continue to have a constructive collaboration with the UN nuclear watchdog, adding that the Iranian mission in Vienna has held talks with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and that the latter could visit Tehran at the earliest convenient time.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Kanaani said Ukrainian and Iranian delegations have held talks on Iran’s alleged drone supply to Russia. According to the spokesperson, the Iranian side has presented explanations about the case during the talks, while the Ukrainians have failed to present documents that prove their claims.

He also pointed out that baseless accusations are being leveled against Iran to exert political pressure on the country.