There is some feeling of cautious optimism that talks with Europe to salvage the nuclear deal after the US exit will produce positive results, a spokesperson said Monday, expressing hope that a new chapter could be opened in relations with Europe.
"There is some optimism and positive signs can be seen in general. Some forward steps have been taken," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi told a press briefing in Tehran, ISNA reported.
"There are some details left that experts are trying to work out. We hope a favorable situation would emerge so that bigger steps can be taken toward strengthening ties with Europe, which is one of our partners in the new era of cooperation."
He was responding to a question on hether any progress had been made in talks with the three European signatories (France, Germany and the UK) to the 2015 nuclear accord, which were supposed to produce results before the imposition of the first round of US sanctions in early August.
Some sanctions take effect after a 90-day wind-down period ending on August 6, and the rest, most notably on the petroleum sector, after a 180-day wind-down period ending on November 4. Washington pulled out of the multinational agreement in May.
*** Taliban Link
Qasemi denied that Iran supplies weapons to the Taliban in Afghanistan and said the government in
Tehran has supported efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace in the neighboring war-ravaged country.
"Iran has worked toward this end and has cooperated with the Afghan government," he said, calling on the Afghan people to stay vigilant in the face of attempts to undermine relations between the two neighbors.
Karameldinne Rida Zadah, an Afghan lawmaker representing Ghor, recently claimed that the Taliban are using Iranian weapons in their fight against authorities in the central Afghan province, Al Arabiya reported.
*** UAE Claims
Qasemi rejected claims by the United Arab Emirates linking Iran to a recent attack allegedly carried out by Yemen's Houthi groups against two Saudi ships in the Red Sea's Bab al-Mandeb strait, one of the world's most important oil tanker routes.
The UAE Foreign Ministry said the attack mirrors the "negative" and "dangerous" role played by Iran in support of Houthis and accused it of providing the group with weapons, equipment and ballistic missiles, Khaleej Times reported on July 26.
Qasemi said Emirati officials sometimes make claims against Iran that have no basis in fact despite the fact that Tehran has adopted a "positive" and "constructive" approach toward its neighbors.
Such remarks are meant to deflect attention away from the many problems caused by the UAE and Saudi Arabia in war-torn Yemen, he said, referring to a Saudi-led coalition of Arab countries that has launched a military intervention in that country in 2015 that so far has killed thousands of Yemeni civilians.
*** Talks With US
Asked about the possibility of direct talks with the United States, the spokesman said there is no basis for dialogue and interaction at the present juncture given Washington's continued hostility toward Iran.
Qasemi did not confirm reports that he would be appointed ambassador in Paris, saying that such reports should not be taken "seriously".
