Iran can help with Europe energy crisis if JCPOA signed: MFA

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Iran can meet the energy needs of European countries if the parties to the Iran nuclear deal, formally the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reach an agreement to revive the accord, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said on Monday.

"In light of the Ukrainian crisis and problems with Europe's energy supply, if negotiations [on the resumption of the JCPOA] are completed and sanctions are lifted, then Iran can become a supplier of most of Europe's needs, especially in energy resources," Kanaani told reporters, as quoted by the Fars news agency.

The diplomat underlined that the other parties using their political will and working constructively would culminate in a nuclear deal.

"The removal of sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian people is one of Iran's main goals with the other parties to the JCPOA," he stressed.

"We have received the draft resolution from the EU coordinator, and Iran responded to it. The United States' response was sent late," Kanaani added.

Just weeks after the deal seemed to have died, the EU put forward on August 8 what it called a final text to restore the agreement, in which Iran would see sanctions relief and be able to sell its oil again in return for severe limits on its nuclear program.

Iran came back two weeks ago with a series of proposed changes, to which the US formally responded on Wednesday, a day after Tehran accused the US of spreading false information about its nuclear activities.

"Iran declared its viewpoint on the draft resolution in order to play its role in the negotiations, and it is waiting for the response of the US administration," the spokesperson explained. "We have taken a responsible step toward ratifying the international frameworks. We also conveyed our points of view to the European parties to help with reaching a happy ending to this marathon and ensure our national interests."

"Iran's response was logical and constructive and if the other party had this sort of will, we can reach an agreement," Kanaani stressed. "On top of the agenda of the Iranian Foreign Ministry in the negotiations is obtaining guarantees, and if there are no guarantees, it is possible for the agreement to be breached again."

He stressed that the inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited Iran several times as part of their joint collaborative effort, and they confirmed the pacifist nature of the Iranian nuclear program numerous times. He also went on to deny the allegations raised against Iran by several parties, including the Israeli occupation.

"The Zionist entity is accused itself, therefore these accusations must not be accepted. Iran has long been cooperating with the IAEA," he said.

The spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Behrouz Kamalvandi, described in late August the IAEA's demands from Iran as excessive, noting that these demands could be implemented due to West-led sanctions. 

Regarding the Europeans' request for Iran to help on the issue of energy as the winter approaches, Kanaani underlined that "it is natural that Iran is a major power source due to it being rich in gas and oil it has maintained its standing in the energy market despite the blockade, and it is continuing to trade energy with its partners."

Due to the war in Ukraine and the issues of energy imports into Europe, if an agreement is reached in Vienna, Iran could help out the European Union in its crisis, Kanaani underlined. "The IAEA must not act politically, as it only makes the matters more complex."

Iran will not stop helping Syria

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman addressed the situation in Syria and considered that "the Zionist entity's claims about attacking the Iranian forces in Syria are unfounded," stressing that "Iran's presence in Syria is of an advisory nature."

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"The Zionist entity's illegal practices towards the infrastructure in Syria continue with US support," he added. "So long as the Syrian government asks for help from Iran, [Iran] will not stop helping it."

Iran backs Yemen armistice

"Iran believes that a military approach in Yemen will not work," Kanaani stressed.

"In continuation of Iran's constructive role, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and his assistant received the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to exchange views on developments there."

"Iran wants peace and stability in Yemen, and it supports the ceasefire, according to the armistice, which will help the Gulf region," Amir-Abdollahian said. "The Yemeni people will decide the fate of their own country."