Kanaani: West failed to effect regime change in Iran

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
26 Dec 2022 19:43
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On the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Kanaani said the deal's revival is still within reach if the West decides to pursue the initiative seriously.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said on Monday that the West failed to force a change of governance in Iran in light of the recent riots which were spearheaded by Western countries.

At a news conference on Monday, he said that Western nations admitted they fell short of their goal to shroud the country with unrest, noting that Tehran will never forget their roles in fomenting turmoil.

"The governments that bet on Iran’s internal developments bet on a losing horse. We warned them not to sacrifice their interests to no avail," he told reporters on Monday.

Regarding the foreign nationals who were detained over their roles in fueling the riots, Kanaani said Tehran has already notified their countries and allowed the detained to contact their families on Christmas as a humanitarian gesture of goodwill.

Drone accusations 'of no help' to Ukraine

On matters of drone allegations, the spokesperson reiterated his rebuke of accusations that Tehran provided Russia with drones to be used in combat against Kiev.

Slamming the accusations as "unfounded", the official said that "such accusations are of no help to the Ukrainian nation and authorities."

"We reiterate once again our disengagement with the war in Ukraine and voice our preparedness to resolve the crisis and restore peace there. We also view as irresponsible any threats by Ukrainian authorities, and hold the Ukrainian government accountable for their potential political and legal repercussions."

Ever since the White House issued the statement that Iran is planning to supply Russia with hundreds of drones in July, the West has repeatedly accused Iran of aiding Russia in its combat efforts against Kiev's forces, despite that Moscow itself denied allegations that it received drones from Iran for combat-related use.

Iran has continuously and repeatedly stated that it will not side in the war, denying all claims that it has provided Moscow with weapons to be used in combat.

The JCPOA: A deal 'within reach'

On the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Kanaani said the deal's revival is still within reach if the West decides to pursue the initiative seriously.

He hailed the recent meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell as an important step within this framework.

"The [ultimate] agreement is still viable, and the window of diplomacy is open on the part of Iran. The US administration pursues a policy of confusion and confrontation and maintains negative and hostile stances. We believe that the agreement is within reach and remains on the negotiating table provided that Westerners demonstrate the needed determination" to strike the final deal, Kanaani said.

He further said the E3, namely France, Germany, and the UK, must make sound and practical decisions if they seek to revive the nuclear deal.

Kanaani stressed that Iran's foreign policy is not tied to matters revolving around the JCPOA and the Vienna talks and that Iran follows a policy of cooperation and mutual interests with its friendly neighbors.