No Compromise on Red Lines in Nuclear Talks

The Islamic Republic would not make any compromises on its red lines and the interests of the Iranian nation in talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran’s top diplomat said, highlighting US efforts to win concessions. 
“Their purpose is to force us to retreat at the negotiating table,” Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said at a joint press conference with his Belarusian counterpart on Wednesday in Tehran, ISNA reported.  
He censured American officials for making hypocritical statements in the media which contradict their diplomatic messages. 
While US officials have told the press in recent weeks that the talks are no longer on their agenda, Iran has received confidential messages in which they have communicated their haste in reaching an agreement on the deal, according to Amir-Abdollahian. 
Iran struck a deal with the five world powers in 2015 which offered sanctions relief to Tehran in return for curbs on its nuclear program, but the US pulled out in 2018 and reimposed tough sanctions that prompted Iran to row back on its commitments.
Negotiations to restore the deal have now reached a stalemate after more than a year over final differences. 
Iran says it would not compromise on its demands and the onus is on the US to make the required political decision.
Amir-Abdollahian also pointed to Iran’s reciprocal sanctions against the European Union individuals and entities, warning Europe against continuing the “unconstructive, repeated and failed” course of action they took over the past years. 
Iran’s countermeasures came after the EU imposed sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities over both a crackdown on protests in the country, and alleged supply of drones for Russia to be used in its war on Ukraine. 
Amir-Abdollahian said the people and organizations targeted by Iranian sanctions supported and encouraged terrorism, extremism and violence in recent developments in Iran. 
He also once again dismissed claims of supplying weapons for Russia, calling on Ukrainian authorities to attend a bilateral meeting at expert level and present any evidence they have in this regard. 
“Our position is, as before, non-arming of either warring party and we oppose war,” he said. 

Bilateral Ties 

The Iranian and Belarusian foreign ministers also discussed bilateral cooperation and ways to upgrade relations toward strategic ties. 
According to the diplomats, the president of Belarus is scheduled to take a trip to Iran in near future, during which a comprehensive long-term cooperation document between Tehran and Minsk is set to be inked. 
They also reviewed the progress of previous agreements signed during the 15th meeting of the Iran-Belarus joint economic commission.
“There has been good growth in trade ties and we expect this level to rise as a result of current plans,” Amir-Abdollahian said. 
He highlighted great capacities for cooperation in the transit and industrial and technological manufacturing sectors, adding that both countries agree on the need to facilitate consular services for business people and tourists. 
Vladimir Makei also underlined the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries in the coming year, saying it would mark a new chapter in bilateral relations. 
He said the volume of trade between Tehran and Minks is much lower than its potential, which is why both sides are doing all in their power to improve this level by implementing bilateral agreements. 
Illegal sanctions imposed against Iran and Belarus were among topics of discussion between the two diplomats. 
Makei said Belarus, like Iran, opposed unilateral sanctions and demands the observation of international law. 
“With these sanctions, an economic terrorism is being carried out against countries like Iran and Belarus and we need to take appropriate action in response to these unilateral measures,” he said.