Iran’s foreign minister, M.J. Zarif hinted that his country could quickly get back to full compliance with an international nuclear deal if only it can resume export of crude oil. Zarif in his interview with the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, which was published on Monday, said: Tehran has warned that it may further scale back its commitments in early September by stepping up its uranium enrichment activities.
Iran partially halted its obligations to the 2015 nuclear deal after the United States withdrew from the agreement and imposed a ban on trade in Iranian oil. Iranian foreign minister also suggested that this would happen unless steps are taken to protect Iran’s economy from the US sanctions. However he also told the interviewer Iran could revert to full compliance with the nuclear deal within hours if it can export oil again.
Zarif is on a diplomatic offensive to seek understanding for Iran’s position. He was in China on Monday before heading for Japan, where he is due to meet Foreign Minister Taro Kono on Tuesday. Zarif is likely to ask Tokyo to resume imports of Iranian crude oil.