IRNA - Head of Strategic Council on Foreign Relations of Iran Kamal Kharazi did not consider Tehran's decision in reducing its commitments in JCPOA contrary to the nuclear accord, and called on the European Union as the main party of the international agreement to defend its interests against the United States.

Kamal Kharazi during a recent visit to Paris in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde and in response to the daily's question about the exact demands of Iran from the Europeans, said that Europe has created a mechanism called 'INSTEX' to maintain its trade relations with Iran, despite the existence of the US bank sanctions. This mechanism has been registered in France, but no further action has been taken.

'The corresponding structure of this strategy is also ready in Iran, and all its officials have been appointed in Tehran. It seems that two months must be enough to begin the first financial transfers.'

In response to the question of 'Europeans have stopped buying oil from Iran and the INSTEX also allows you to receive only humanitarian products, is this enough for you?', the former foreign minister said that the European companies can still buy oil from Iran. Some of these countries do not have any interest in the United States, so they are not afraid of sanctions. Italy and Greece stopped their oil purchases while the United States gave them exemptions from the sanctions.

He went on to say, 'This shows that this decision (not to buy oil) is political. INSTEX-based payments should be the starting point for Iran's purchases from Europe.'

Kharrazi went on to say that it is said that the INSTEX is primarily for this purpose that Iran will be able to purchase medicines and food items. This is not a satisfactory word for us. That is, we think that this solution should allow all types of transfers.

'So, why Europe, too, does not put any pressure on America?' Europe must defend its interests.

The head of SCFRI met in his recent trip to France with the former Foreign Minister of France Hervé de Charette.

The meeting emphasized the necessity for deepening the relations between the two countries in different dimensions, taking into account the historical and cultural background that could be used as the main basis for the development and deepening of cooperation in all fields.

Iranian official also responded to the questions at a meeting with the representatives of some important think tanks in France, explaining the reasons for Tehran's recent decision to suspend some commitments.