Iran to Continue Serious Global Engagement on Nuclear Agreement

Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi underlined Iran’s determination to continue serious engagement with the world on the nuclear agreement, adding that it depends on the genuine political will of the other sides. 
“Otherwise, there is no reason to continue the negotiations,” he said on Friday, following the latest round of meetings in Vienna, Austria, with parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
He reiterated that the removal of sanctions imposed during the United States’ previous administration on Tehran is an essential step for reviving JCPOA.  
“Only after verifying the [effective] lifting of these sanctions is Iran ready to stop its remedial steps and return to the full implementation of JCPOA,” he said, the Iranian Foreign Ministry reported. 
The US pulled out of the deal unilaterally in 2018 and reimposed tough sanctions on Tehran, forcing it to eventually take reciprocal steps by reducing its compliance. 
The new administration in the White House now wishes to rejoin the deal, but the situation faces a deadlock with both Tehran and Washington calling on the other side to take the first step. 
In a bid to break to impasse, the remaining participants put the issue on the agenda of the regular meeting of JCPOA’s Joint Commission, which was held virtually on April 2 in Tehran and was held in Vienna on Tuesday in person. 
During the Tuesday meeting, participants decided to set up two expert groups to work out a feasible process of sanctions removal by the US and return to the full implementation of nuclear obligations by Iran in an effort to revive the landmark accord.
A delegation from the US is also present in the Austrian capital with which the result of the meetings is shared through Europe.  

Follow-Up Meetings 

The JCPOA signatories officially convened the follow-up meeting on Friday to discuss the outcome of the groups’ work and decide on the next step.
After being briefed on the work of the groups, participants confirmed “constructive and results-oriented exchanges”, according to the chair’s statement, published by the European External Action Service. 
The Joint Commission then tasked the expert groups with continuing their work and reconvening a meeting in Vienna on Wednesday.
“The coordinator [EEAS Political Director Enrique Mora] will continue his separate contacts with all JCPOA participants and the United States,” the statement read. 
The Iranian delegation has had constant bilateral and multilateral consultations with P4+1 countries (France, Germany, the UK, China and Russia) as well as Joint Commission coordinator, but none was attended by the US. 
Araqchi had earlier stressed that Iran’s current nuclear activities, especially in the enrichment sector, will neither be terminated nor slowed unless US sanctions are completely revoked in one stroke. 
He added that despite indications of the US moving toward removing all sanctions, it is too early to comment as the negotiations have not been wrapped up yet. 
“I believe we have a long way ahead, although the process is moving forward and the atmosphere of talks is constructive,” he said.