Iran, EU Hold ‘Positive’ Discussions

Discussions with the European Union envoy who coordinates talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal were “positive”, according to Iran’s foreign minister, and both sides have agreed to carry on with the talks. 
“Conversations with Enrique Mora were focused on finding practical ways to resolve the current impasse in Vienna,” Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was quoted as saying by ISNA. 
He added that the deadlock has been created due to Washington’s evasive approach to a complete and effective removal of its unilateral and illegal sanctions. 
Negotiations in the Austrian capital initiated in April to work out how the United States and Iran can resume full compliance with the nuclear deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
The US pulled out of the agreement in 2018 and reimposed sweeping sanctions which prompted Tehran to eventually row back on its commitments in response. 
The Vienna talks have been halted since June, following a change of government in Iran. The new administration has been reviewing the past rounds of talks since taking office and has recently shown readiness to return to the negotiating table. 
Mora visited Tehran on Thursday to meet Iran’s potential new negotiator Ali Baqeri ahead of a prospective resumption of talks.
Baqeri said Iran has always proved to be a responsible player in the international arena while the other sides’ behavior shows a meaningful distance with a sense of responsibility. 
“Iran is always ready for serious negotiations whose result is a practical agreement, not one on paper,” he said, adding that Iran has grave doubts about the United States’ real will to implement its commitments. 
Iran demands a full and verifiable lifting of sanctions before it reverses its countermeasures while the US appears to be selective, refusing to remove all its bans unconditionally. 
Besides, Tehran asks for enough assurance that no party would violate the deal again in the future, but Washington reportedly refuses to give such guarantee. 
A big challenge in the coming negotiations will also be around ways to verify Washington’s sanctions lifting, according to Amir-Abdollahian. 
The deputy foreign minister also criticized the European parties for their inaction in meeting their JCPOA obligations, stressing the need for their dutifulness. 
Mora underlined his role as coordinator, expressing readiness to cooperate with Iran and the other participants toward continuing the negotiations to reach an outcome accepted by all sides.
The two finally agreed to continue consultations on issues of mutual interest in coming days in Brussels, Belgium. 
During the meeting, Mora and Baqeri also discussed bilateral relations and decided to evaluate possible grounds for expanding Tehran-EU ties in the future talks.   
Baqeri also raised regional issues, including the developments in Afghanistan.
He stressed the need for Europe’s action regarding the humanitarian situation in this country, such as the conditions of displaced Afghans. 
Highlighting the sorrowful condition of people, especially women and children, in Yemen due to the country’s several-year blockade, he also called for responsible efforts by the EU to help end this humanitarian tragedy.