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No Change in Nuclear Policy Under Next Government

The government of president-elect Ebrahim Raeisi will be faithful to a possible nuclear agreement reached during the incumbent administration, Khatibzadeh said
No Change in Nuclear Policy Under Next Government
No Change in Nuclear Policy Under Next Government

Iran’s stance on its nuclear issue is among the Islamic Republic’s principled policies and will not change upon the change of government, the foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday. 
Saeed Khatibzadeh made the remarks in reference to some western officials’ emphasis on the need to wait for the new Iranian administration to take office before concluding an agreement on the status of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, IRNA reported. 
“In case an agreement is reached, the government of [president-elect Ebrahim] Raeisi will be faithful to it,” he said, stressing that unlike some other JCPOA parties, adherence to commitments and pledges is always a basic principle for Iran.
The nuclear deal, which was signed between Iran and the world powers, was abandoned by the United States when the administration of former president Donald Trump came to power.
In view of Washington’s reimposition of sweeping sanctions, Iran later took reciprocal action and scaled down its commitments until its economic interests promised under the deal could be restored. 
The new US president later expressed willingness to rejoin the accord, clearing the way for the start of indirect talks in Vienna, Austria, to figure out if both sides can agree to resume full compliance. 
The negotiations have made significant progress over six rounds, but reached a halt when it came to important political decisions. 
Tehran says it has made and communicated its decisions and is waiting for the other sides, especially the US to do so. 
Some western officials have signaled a tendency by the other negotiating sides to postpone their decision until the new Iranian government is formed. 

 

 

No Deadline 

The administration of President Hassan Rouhani, who managed to strike the nuclear deal in 2015, will go out in August to hand the helm of the country over to Raeisi, elected on June 24. 
Known as more conservative, Raeisi is believed by some experts to be a harder person to negotiate with.   
Khatibzadeh, however, said decisions over the JCPOA and sanctions lifting are decided at higher ranks of power in the Islamic Republic.  
He also told reporters that key issues have remained unresolved in the Vienna talks which chiefly require decisions by the other parties, particularly the US.   
“In fact, the finalization of an agreement to revive the JCPOA is contingent on the other sides’ political will to take important decisions,” he said. 
The Iranian delegation attempts to conclude the talks as soon as possible to have the cruel sanctions on the Iranian nation removed, according to the diplomat.
Nevertheless, Iran will not set a deadline for achieving a deal that would guarantee the interests of the nation, he added. 
“Negotiations will continue until a favorable agreement for Iran can be reached.” 
Tehran wants a complete and effective removal of sanctions in a verifiable manner before it reverses its nuclear steps beyond the JCPOA limits. 
Khatibzadeh reiterated that Iran is in no hurry, but will not allow the talks to be drawn out. 

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