Iran Ready for Conclusion of Talks to Revive Nuclear Deal

Iran is ready to conclude negotiations on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal in line with the draft prepared as a result of months of hard and intensive discussions, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said. 
“Now it is the Western sides that are confused due to their adoption of unrealistic policies and miscalculations,” the ministry said in response to the statement by the Council of the European Union, according to its official website.  
The council issued a statement following its latest meeting on Dec. 12, in which they censured Tehran for making it “increasingly difficult to reach a deal” on restoring the 2015 agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
The JCPOA offered sanctions relief to Tehran in return for curbs on its nuclear program, but the United States pulled out in 2018 and reimposed tough sanctions that prompted Tehran to row back on its commitments in response.
Negotiations started early last year in Vienna, Austria, to work out how both sides could resume compliance, but the talks have been stalled for months over final differences. 
In its statement, the European council expressed regret that despite political support by the EU member states and intense international diplomatic efforts to restore the full implementation of the JCPOA, “Iran has not made the necessary decisions and not taken the necessary steps.” 
Western countries accuse Tehran of making extraneous demands beyond the purview of the JCPOA. 
The Foreign Ministry stressed in its statement that Iran’s demands were always within the framework of the agreement and the Vienna talks, but the “long list of gross violations by the European sides and the US” during the implementation of the treaty compels Iran to be realistic about the future.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s aim is to sign a lasting agreement which would first of all guarantee its practical benefit from the sanctions removal, and secondly, it would not be easily violated under the influence of the internal politics of governments,” the text read. 
Tehran wants assurances not only for the effective lifting of sanctions, but also for the US continued adherence to the deal under a new administration. 

Responsible Member 

The EU statement also expressed concern over what they called “the alarming acceleration of Iran’s nuclear program,” in particular with regard to the expansion of its nuclear enrichment capacity and production of highly enriched uranium.
Iran has been increasing its nuclear activity both as part of its countermeasures against the US sanctions, and in reaction to unconstructive resolutions passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors.    
The 35-nation board has passed two resolutions, urging Iran to cooperate with the agency on the issue of nuclear material allegedly found at undeclared sites in Iran. 
The agency has so far rejected Iran’s explanations as “uncredible”. 
“The European Union … calls upon Iran to urgently fulfil its legal obligations, including under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, by providing technically credible explanations and grant necessary access,” the EU foreign ministers said, adding that timely and full cooperation with the IAEA remains absolutely crucial.
They also stressed that the JCPOA is separate from Iran’s legally binding obligations under the NPT. 
Tehran dismisses the allegation about uranium traces, saying it is based on fabricated information, and has reacted to both motions by further advancement in its nuclear activity.
It has also demanded the closure of the IAEA probe before any deal on JCPOA revival. 
Nevertheless, Iran maintains that its cooperation with the agency is still underway within the framework of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.
“As a responsible member of the [NPT], the Islamic Republic of Iran has always cooperated with the [IAEA] in accordance with its international obligations and the IAEA’s specialized and technical standing, and it is resolved to continue this cooperation,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said. 
Along this line, officials from the agency are set to visit Tehran soon for discussions on the issue, according to Iran’s top nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami. 
The statement also advised Western countries to avoid politicizing issues and to not spoil the atmosphere of technical cooperation between Iran and the IAEA.