Top Diplomats Brief MPs on Nuclear Talks

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, his deputy and top negotiator Ali Baqeri Kani and other senior diplomats met members of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission on Tuesday and briefed them about the latest state of talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
They also answered the lawmakers’ questions and concerns, including the negotiator’s adherence to the country’s red lines, according to the commission spokesman, Mahmoud Abbaszadeh. 
“With the explanations given, we were convinced that the red lines have been observed, otherwise, a deal would have been signed a long time ago,” he told ICANA. 
Negotiations have been underway since last April in the Austrian capital Vienna to restore the nuclear deal which offered Iran sanctions relief in return to curbs on its nuclear program. 
The deal has been unravelling since 2018, when the United States pulled out unilaterally and reimposed sweeping sanctions that prompted Tehran to eventually scale back its commitments. 
Despite great progress, the Vienna talks have been suspended for about a month over a few remaining differences. 
“A considerable part of our country’s demands have been met based on oral agreements, but the Americans are the main problem,” Abbaszadeh said. 
Iranian officials say Tehran has sent its final initiatives and the ball is now in the US court to make its political decisions. 

No Formal Draft 

Iran wants a complete and verifiable removal of sanctions before reversing its nuclear steps. It also demands assurances that no future US president would abandon the deal again. 
“We will not return to the JCPOA without guarantees,” the lawmaker said. 
It has been suggested, according to Abbaszadeh, that the guarantees be included in the deal so that the western side will not hold the authority for their implementation alone and Iran could have its tools as well. 
He said if the western parties seek to obtain concessions one-sidedly, Iran would not agree to a deal, but if they show good will, an agreement is viable in a short time. 
“The other sides may be trying to drag out the talks, but this is not what we want either,” he said. 
He also stressed that no formal draft has been prepared yet since there are still areas of conflict. 
Jalil Rahimi, another member of the commission, told IRNA later that notes have been exchanged between the two sides, but no final text has been agreed by all sides yet. 
“Consultations are underway through the intermediaries and we must allow them to reach an outcome,” he said. 
He added that if the western side acts wisely and recognizes its interests, the negotiations must conclude by late June. 
Iran’s main purpose of engaging in the talks is to bring about economic boost with tangible effects on people’s livelihoods, according to Rahimi. 
“If negotiations were conducted without a result in economy, livelihood and problems of the people, they would be in vain,” he said. 
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei had also earlier applauded the negotiating team’s good diplomatic approach, calling its members serious and determined. 
“It is no problem to critique and express opinions about their performance, on condition that it is free of suspicion and pessimism,… does not weaken [our side’s negotiating position] and does not cause despair in people,” he said in an address to top officials on Tuesday. 
He also praised the negotiating delegation’s resistance against the other sides’ excessive demands.
The US was unfaithful and exited the JCPOA, but is now desperate and facing a deadlock, according to the Leader. 
“But the Islamic government which has overcome many difficulties so far by relying on the people, will pass this stage as well,” he said. 
He called on the authorities to avoid keeping the affairs of the country on hold for the conclusion of the nuclear issue and plan and act to address the problems based on realities.