UN Chief Expresses Hope for Conclusion of Vienna Talks

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed hope for the continuation of talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal and conclusion of a favorable agreement. 
In a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Friday evening, he also stressed the importance of political initiatives to resolve outstanding issues, IRNA reported. 
Negotiations have been underway to restore the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which offered sanctions relief to Tehran in return for curbs on its nuclear program. 
The JCPOA has been faltering since the United States pulled out in 2018 and reimposed sweeping sanctions on Tehran who responded by scaling down its commitments. 
Indirect talks in the Austrian capital Vienna aim to work out how both sides can resume compliance. 
Despite great progress over a year of discussions, the talks have been suspended for more than a month over a few remaining issues. 
In the phone call, Amir-Abdollahian said the exchange of messages between Tehran and Washington continues through the European Union who acts as intermediary. 
He blamed the current situation on the “wrong maximum pressure policy” that the US former president Donald Trump unleashed against Iran. 
He had said earlier said that the onus is now on the American side to take steps in the direction of political initiatives. 

Realistic Decision-Making 

A sticking point now seems to be Iran’s demand for the removal of its Islamic Revolution Guards Corps from the list of terrorist organizations which the US refuses to do, arguing that it is beyond the scope of the JCPOA. 
Iran insists that the designation is part of the so-called maximum pressure campaign whose components must be revoked completely before Iran returns to the limits of the deal. 
“All elements of the maximum pressure must be removed so that the people of Iran can completely enjoy the benefits of the JCPOA,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh had once said. 
In his Friday conversation, Amir-Abdollahian also censured the US Senate for endorsing a recent measure which states that any deal with Tehran should address what they call Iran’s terrorist activities in the region, and that the US should not lift sanctions on the IRGC. 
Although non-binding, the measure appears as a warning to US President Joe Biden’s negotiating team, who have acknowledged that an agreement that goes beyond curtailing Iran’s nuclear program is no longer possible.
“Reaching a lasting, strong and fair agreement requires Washington’s realistic decision-making and the US administration’s courage to make up for wrong past policies,” Amir-Abdollahian said.
Khatibzadeh had earlier criticized the US administration’s approach, saying American domestic laws and policies cannot determine the outcome of the Vienna talks. 
“They disregard international law and try to link issues to their domestic concerns.”