US withdrawal proves Iran was right: Iran nuclear chief

'If not heard at that time by some, it is heard and established for the whole world that the US is not dependable and trustworthy in international deals,' said Ali-Akbar Salehi in a joint press conference with EU Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete after their meeting.

'This is the fourth time in the past two years that we had a meeting with the EU Climate Action and Energy Commissioner. In addition, Iranian and European nuclear experts have been going and coming, and have held numerous training workshops for Iranian experts in Iran,' said Salehi.

Regarding the nuclear cooperation between Iran and the EU, Salehi added, 'We have held two conferences in Brussels and Isfahan; the EU has also have accepted some commitments, including establishing an advanced center of safety in Iran.'

Saying that the EU has committed to invest $20 million in the project, Salehi added, 'We are supposed to cooperate in the European project of fusion, as well.'

Regarding the recent developments in the deal, Salehi said that Cañete, as the EU Climate Action and Energy Commissioner, discussed the measures the EU is to take, adding, 'They are going to revive the blocking law of 1996; the issue is seriously being followed.'

The head of the AEAI said that some steps have been taken to replace dollar with euro in Iran-Europe commercial transactions, and hoped to see the promises fulfilled.

'We have stood on our own feet in the past forty years, resisted against all restrictions, and could witness more progress and authority for the Islamic Republic [of Iran],' said Salehi, adding, 'We will counter any obstacle easily; our future is bright; Iran doesn’t easily get under pressure.'

Saying Iran's present situation is not comparable to that of the first years after the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and has changed much for the better, he said Iran will continue the path of progress without any worries; the enemies 'may be able to slow us down, but they have never been and will never be able to stop us'.

'We see that Europe is trying to guard the deal, and we hope they will keep their promise. The EU's attempts show that the JCPOA is an international deal in line with the interests of Iran, the region and the world.'

Referring to US' withdrawal from the deal, he said that it may cause some problems, but it will not be able to cause serious ones.

Canete arrived in Tehran late on Friday for a two-day visit to reassure Iran that the 28 nations of EU want to keep trade open despite the US withdrawal from the pact on May 8.

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