TEHRAN, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian parliament speaker defended on Sunday the implementation of Iran's Strategic Action Plan to Counter Sanctions, saying sanctions on the country must be lifted.
"The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is not a sacred agreement for us. It was accepted by Iran on the condition that sanctions would be lifted," Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said in a parliament session in Tehran, official news agency IRNA reported.
Therefore, according to the official, the return of the United States to the JCPOA is "not important" for Iran, but "the actual lifting of sanctions is."
He further noted the West must "recognize" the rights of the Iranian people, and if it puts pressure on Iran, it must be prepared to "pay the appropriate price."
Qalibaf pointed to articles 36 and 37 of JCPOA to argue Iran has the right to reduce its level of practical commitment to the agreement when its counterparts do not fulfill their obligations.
He stressed that Iran will comply with its obligations once sanctions are actually lifted, which means Iran can sell its oil, money transfers can be made, and Iranian producers and merchants can trade with other countries normally.
Iran launched 20-percent uranium enrichment process on Monday as part of its action plan to counter sanctions which was approved by the parliament in December 2020.
In response to the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and re-imposition of sanctions, Iran has stopped implementing parts of its obligations under the deal. Enditem
