SHAFAQNA– Iran ‘s Deputy Foreign Minister said EU needs more time to introduce operational measures, but underlined that Iran cannot wait forever.
Despite the US pressures, the European Union continues efforts to provide a financial mechanism for trade with Iran, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi said.
He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Friday.
Araqchi noted that the EU needs more time to provide the SPV mechanism but underlined that Iran cannot wait forever.
Iran continues talks with Russia, China and the European countries to save the nuclear deal, he added, IRNA reported.
The U.S. sanctions aim to cut off Iran’s banks from international finance and significantly reduce its oil exports.
The EU hopes its “special purpose vehicle” (SPV) announced in September will keep the nuclear deal alive and persuade Tehran to stay on board by giving companies a way of trading with Iran without fear of US sanctions.
But Brussels is struggling to find a host for the SPV and many EU countries are fearful of repercussions from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
“Americans are out to block all paths and have already started pressuring countries aiming to implement the mechanism and work with it,” said Araghchi, refusing to comment on potential SPV hosts due to the “sensitivity” of the issue.
Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg have already rejected hosting the special payment system, Bloomberg News reported.
Araghchi said Iran will stay in the nuclear deal as long as it meets Tehran’s interests, but will “make a different decision” the moment it no longer does, France24 told.