Tehran Set to Resume Nuclear Talks

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the new Iranian government is earnestly reviewing the track record of nuclear negotiations conducted so far and will resume the talks.  
“The new government … will neither waste time, nor accept the unconstructive behavior of the United States, nor keep the country lingering over common empty promises,” he said in a meeting with the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, IRNA reported.  
He stressed that the administration of President Ebrahim Raeisi seeks practical results and counts on the other sides’ actions, rather than statements. 
Negotiations are underway in Vienna, Austria, to bring the 2015 nuclear deal back to life. Formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the agreement went out of shape when the US exited in 2018 and Iran scaled down its commitments in reaction to reimposed sanctions. 
The Vienna talks have been stalled since the change of government in Iran in June. 
Amir-Abdollahian said the policies and behavior of US President Joe Biden’s administration with regard to Iran and the JCPOA have been “unconstructive”.
“Despite verbally criticizing [ex-president Donald] Trump’s policies, Biden is practically pursuing the same policies about Iran,” he said. 
He stressed that the US would certainly be making a mistake to think that it can achieve an outcome through exerting pressure against Iran, because the Iranian people have proved that they would respond strongly to pressure and intimidation.  
“All sides need to know that the JCPOA must have tangible results for Iran and we must practically see the removal of the illegal sanctions,” he said. 
It is unacceptable, according to the minister, that the US makes positive statements on the one hand, and introduces new sanctions on the other.  
Amir-Abdollahian reiterated that if the other parties return to compliance and it is verified, Iran is ready to stop its reciprocal measures. 
Borrell said successful revival of the JCPOA is very important not only for Iran and the remaining parties, but also for the region and the world. 
“Failure of the JCPOA and the negotiations is in no one’s interest,” he said. 
He added that the US responsibility for the current situation is a certain fact, but at the same time, all engaged parties must help to achieve an outcome that satisfies both sides.
“The first step along this line is setting the time of the Vienna meeting,” he said, calling for confidence building steps by all members. 

Rightful Expectation 

Amir-Abdollahian also met with his German counterpart, Heiko Maas, on Tuesday, where he once again underlined the need for result-oriented talks. 
“It is the Iranian nation’s rightful expectation to receive assurance about the economic benefits of the JCPOA which has not been realized so far due to the other sides’ unfaithfulness,” he said. 
He also stressed that the Vienna talks are not conducted to reach a new deal, but to make sure of the complete and guaranteed return of the US to its commitments under the very JCPOA and UN Security Council Resolution 2231 which endorsed it. 
“The other side must come to Vienna with enough flexibility and understanding of the new conditions arising from the establishment of a new government in Iran,” he said. 
Mass also called for efforts by all participants to conclude the Vienna talks successfully. 
“Berlin is committed to the JCPOA and will do all in its power to preserve and revive it,” he said.