Iran is determined to reach a strong and lasting agreement on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal and is committed to negotiations to achieve a desirable outcome, a senior Iranian diplomat said.
“We adhere to the course of diplomacy,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said at a regular press briefing on Monday, ISNA reported.
The 2015 deal between Iran and the six world powers lifted sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program, but the United States pulled out in 2018 and reimposed tough sanctions that prompted Tehran to react by rowing back on its commitments.
Negotiations have been underway in Vienna, Austria, to work out how both sides can resume compliance with the accord, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Tehran and Washington are currently discussing a draft proposed by the European Union coordinator.
Kanaani said Iran’s latest comments were aimed at addressing ambiguities so that in case of agreement, the deal would be sustainable with no room for interpretations that could disturb its implementation.
He added that the exchange of messages is still underway through the EU coordinator and other mediators, including foreign ministers of neighboring countries, while the United Nations General Assembly was also a good opportunity for related talks.
“Messages were exchanged between Iran and the US through intermediaries in bilateral and multilateral meetings [on the sidelines of the UNGA],” he said.
Kanaani rejected recent reports in western media which have cited American officials as speaking of a deadlock in negotiations.
“We cannot emphasize on this word and speak of a deadlock in the talks because the exchange of messages is still ongoing,” he said.
Iran’s final response to the EU text could also contribute to the conclusion of a deal, according to the spokesman.
He said there is still a chance to restore the deal and if the other sides, particularly the US, show political will, an agreement can be reached in short order.
“Unfortunately, we do not see the required political will in the other side,” he said.
On the one hand, the US is sending various messages through different mediators, on the other, it imposed new sanctions which is not a constructive behavior, he explained.
“An agreement cannot be reached under the shadow of threats and sanctions and the US government should correct this behavior.”
He stressed that Iran denounced new US sanctions and sees them in contradiction with the messages it sends through intermediaries.
The unresolved disputes are over guarantees for US adherence and secured removal of sanctions, as well as Tehran’s demand for the closure of its safeguards case at the International Atomic Energy Agency which it says is based on fabricated data.
