Western Efforts to Win More Concessions in Nuclear Talks Futile 

Western countries would be gravely mistaken if they suppose they can win more concessions out of Iran in talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal by imposing political pressure and running psychological and media campaigns, a senior Iranian diplomat said. 
“We advise the other sides to avoid politicization, adopt a constructive and realistic approach and make the required political decisions for reaching and announcing an agreement,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said at a regular press briefing on Monday, ISNA reported. 
He stressed that Iran is “completely ready” to conclude the negotiations based on the draft that was prepared after months of hard and intensive discussions and with due observance of its red lines. 
“But this readiness will not be permanent and the ball is now in the western side’s court,” he said. 
The 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, unraveled when the United States withdrew in 2018 and reimposed sweeping sanctions that prompted Tehran to react by rowing back in its nuclear commitments. 
Negotiations have been underway in Vienna, Austria, since early 2021 to work out how both sides can resume compliance, but have been stalled for months over final differences. 
While Washington accuses Tehran of making extraneous demands, Iran blames the US for failing to make a political decision. 
American officials have also been saying in recent weeks that they have shifted their focus from the nuclear talks to other developments, including the unrest in Iran and the Islamic Republic’s alleged supply of arms to Russia. 
Kanaani said, however, that the exchange of messages is still underway at various levels. 
In a meeting between Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and the European Union coordinator in Amman, Jordan, late last month, the two sides agreed that contacts need to continue in order to reactivate and conclude the Vienna talks, according to the diplomat. 
Tehran has also warned the West against exploiting Iran’s domestic affairs as well as false allegations to change the course of talks. 

Unfounded Allegations 

Western countries have been echoing Ukraine’s claims about Iran’s supply of drones to Russia for its war on the ex-soviet state. 
Tehran rejects the claim, although asserting that a small number of aerial vehicles had been delivered to Russia months before the onset of the conflict. 
“Iran is not part of the war in Ukraine and repetition of unfounded allegations against Iran will not help address this crisis,” Kanaani said after Ukrainian officials claimed they had shot down Iranian-made drones over the past days. 
Tehran and Kiev held talks about the issue at Iran’s initiative a while ago, but neither Ukraine nor other countries who level accusations against Iran have so far presented evidence of Iran’s involvement in this war, according to the spokesman. 
He stressed that Iran’s defense cooperation with Russia is based on common interests and in compliance with rules and regulations and dates before the start of the conflict. 
“I advise Ukrainian authorities once again to stop making false and unfounded allegations against Iran and focus on appropriate solutions to overcome the crisis,” he said. 

Constructive Initiatives 

The spokesman was also asked about Iran’s relations with Egypt in light of Iraq’s willingness for intermediary efforts to reconcile the two sides. 
On the sidelines of the Baghdad II conference in Amman, the Iranian foreign minister also held brief discussions with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, which Kanaani described as “positive”. 
“Also recently, talks have been held at bilateral level about consular issues and the two sides agreed to continue such consultations,” he said, adding that interests offices of both countries are operational in Tehran and Cairo, which means dialogue and meetings are easily possible. 
Iran and Egypt have experienced fluctuating tensions in their ties since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. 
They severed diplomatic relations in 1980 following Egypt’s recognition of Israel, while the two remained at odds over various issues, including Cairo’s support for Iraqi former dictator Saddam Hussein in its eight-year war with Iran [1980-88]
During the same conference in the Jordanian capital, Amir-Abdollahian also met Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani who proposed Iraqi mediation for talks between Iran and Egypt at political and security level. 
Kanaani said Iran welcomes any such initiative that could attune the views of Iran and other countries, including Egypt. 
“Iran … will respond positively to constructive initiatives in this regard,” he said.