Framework of JCPOA Talks Will Not Change Under Raeisi Admin

A lawmaker said the framework of Iran’s policy at the Vienna talks will not change under the incoming administration of Ebrahim Raeisi, noting that the Islamic Republic will continue the talks, aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear agreement, to reach its objectives.
“The Islamic Republic is taking part in these negotiations in line with the definitive policy set by the Leader that seeks the removal of all sanctions [imposed on Iran] and effective verification [of sanctions removal], which will be followed with Iran’s reciprocal move after the other side has taken the appropriate action,” Abolfazl Amouei, a member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said on Sunday, ICANA reported.
According to Amouei, given that the Iranian administration is in a transition period, the talks have been postponed until a few weeks ahead.
“Foreign policy in Iran has a well-established large-scale framework, and when it comes to the issue of the [Vienna] talks, [Iran’s] policies are not going to change,” the lawmaker said, adding, “Methods and people may change, but the goals and the framework are fixed. We expect no fundamental changes in the negotiations’ process under the next administration, but bolstering our national position will surely become our strength in the process.”
Earlier this month, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh echoed similar remarks on Iran’s policies toward the nuclear accord, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Khatibzadeh said Iran’s stance on the JCPOA and the need for the US to remove its sanctions “are among the positions of the establishment and will not alter with a change of administration.”
The Iranian lawmaker stressed that the Americans should change their position on the JCPOA.
He added “The [Vienna] talks take place between Iran and the Group 4+1, whose members are implementing the JCPOA. The American side quit the JCPOA in 2018 and announced in 2021 that it is willing to rejoin the group. However, since [the US] has not fulfilled its obligations, conditions have not been set for its return and the talks are focused on what measures should be taken by Americans within framework of these conditions, which will be determined through talks between Iran and the Group 4+1.”

“Whether or not the conditions would be accepted by the US is another issue,” he noted.
The Iranian lawmaker also said the current process in the talks in the Austrian capital is still far from the demands of the Islamic Republic.
“We assume that unless there is a fundamental change in US policies and it takes actions that go beyond mere words … one cannot expect the negotiations to bear fruit so soon,” he said.