Khatibzadeh, who traveled to Turkey for political consultations, made these remarks in an interview with Turkish A Haber TV channel on Friday.
He emphasized that Iran has dedicated a significant portion of its resources and energy to this peaceful programme, and that it cannot be taken away.
He said the discussion was heartfelt friendly about the recent meeting with E3 (Germany, France and the UK) in Istanbul.
Khatibzadeh said, as everyone knows, the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (JCPOA), known as Iran’s nuclear deal, has been under pressure for years since the US withdrawal, adding that Iran has shown strategic patience for a year and is waiting for compensation for promises from Europeans to remain in the transaction.
Unfortunately, the Europeans did not take any meaningful actions, he said, adding that they lack the will to offset the unilateral and illegal withdrawal of the United States.
Iran has since decided to regain its balance to reduce its commitment under the JCPOA, he said, saying that Europeans have expressed their hopes to understand that “anything is possible” if the goal of the ongoing consultation is meaningful mutual understanding.
Working on the Turkey’s role, he said the fact that Iran chose Turkey for this series of consultations shows Tehran’s trust in Turkey, saying that Iran views Turkey as a friendly country and a government that can organize and host these important negotiations.
In response to questions about Israel’s attacks on Iranian soil, Katibzadeh said Iran was attacked not only by Israel but by both Israel and the United States, and during negotiations Israel began assassinating Iranian commanders.
They targeted the neighborhoods and residences of these commanders. So their true purpose wasn’t just the nuclear facility you mentioned. They also tried to assassinate a senior Iranian commander, he said.
He also said that attacks on nuclear facilities are a blatant violation of international law and perhaps the worst kind, as all Iranian nuclear power plants are under continuous surveillance by the International Atomic Observatory Agency.
What Americans and Israelis did is a serious violation of international law and must be pursued by responsible international organizations, he said.
He also said that Iran would certainly pursue the issue, but the key is that Iran is ready to defend its peaceful nuclear rights.
Iran is investing important resources and energy in this peaceful programme and cannot take away the country, he concluded.
MNA/