Iran to Enter Vienna Talks in Good Faith

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Iran is engaging in talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal “in good faith”, despite the United States’ violation of the agreement and the European parties’ inaction. 
Addressing a group of pundits, journalists and ambassadors on Saturday, he added that Tehran’s policy in resuming the negotiations is aimed at removing the US “cruel, illegal and unilateral sanctions,” ISNA reported. 
Talks began in April in the Austrian capital Vienna to work out how the US and Iran can return to full compliance with the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
Washington pulled out of the accord in 2018 and reimposed tough sanctions that compelled Tehran to row back on its commitments in response. 
Six rounds of negotiations were held in Vienna before a halt in June due to a change of government in Iran, but the process is set to restart on Nov. 29 with a new Iranian delegation.
Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri, who will act as Iran’s new top negotiator, also attended the Saturday gathering, where he elaborated on the country’s position ad measures taken so far. 
The attendants presented their views on the issue and suggested the continuation of such meetings. 

Sanctions-lifting First 

Both the foreign minister and his deputy have been holding contacts with other participating parties over the past week to discuss the upcoming talks. 
Amir-Abdollahian had phone conversations with top diplomats from France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, while Baqeri took a trip to Europe to hold talks with his counterparts in person.  
Iran demands an effective and verifiable removal of sanctions as well as the other sides’ complete return to their commitments before it reverses its countermeasures. 
It also calls for firm guarantees by the US that it would not repeat its violations. 
“Iran is entering the negotiations with a practical and result-oriented approach and is determined to achieve a ‘good agreement’,” Amir-Abdollahian had said after his phone calls.
He said reaching such agreement is possible in a short time, if other parties adopt a serious and positive approach. 
Russia also says it proceeds from the same understanding, according to a tweet by its top negotiator Mikhail Ulyanov. 
Ali Baqeri had also tweeted that an effective removal of unlawful sanctions and the importance of assurances on non-repetition of past violations was emphasized in his visits to France, Germany, Britain and Spain. 
“It is natural that for Iran sanctions lifting comes first,” Ulyanov said in response. 
The US is reportedly refusing to remove all its sanctions unconditionally and has recently imposed a new set of bans. 
Iran calls on the European and American sides to avoid excessive demands beyond the framework of the agreement and adopt a realistic and constructive approach to facilitate the progress of the negotiations. 
Amir-Abdollahian had earlier said that despite doubts about US intentions, Iran would return to all its commitments if they completely return to theirs and do not make extra demands. 
“America cannot carry on with the failed policy of maximum pressure and economic terrorism and claim to seek negotiation and agreement at the same time,” he said.