A senior nuclear negotiator says Iran expects Western countries to lift all sanctions against the country in case Iran and the major powers can strike a comprehensive nuclear deal.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran expects the Western countries to lift all sanctions against Iran after signing a comprehensive deal based on our previous agreements,” Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said in a meeting with the head of the French parliament’s defense and armed forces committee, Patricia Adam, in Tehran on Monday.
“If the P5+1 countries (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) have political will (to reach an agreement with Iran), the Islamic Republic of Iran is also fully ready to help the negotiations reach a conclusion so that a comprehensive agreement can be signed between the parties,” IRNA quoted him as saying.
US Demands Can Scupper Talks
In a separate meeting with the French parliamentarian on the same day, MP Alaeddin Boroujerdi said if nuclear talks with the major powers fail to reach a conclusion it would be because of “unacceptable, excessive demands” by the United States. He said Iran has always fulfilled its commitments under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and complied with the regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Commenting on the developments in Iraq and Syria, the chairman of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee said the rise of terrorist groups in the crisis-hit Arab countries is the result of the support given to terrorists by the United States and its allies in the region over the past years.
On the relationship between Tehran and Paris, the MP said the parliaments of the two countries can play an effective role to pave the way for expansion of bilateral relations. Adam, for her part, said France is keen to increase its political and economic relations with Iran.
No Wait for Anti-Terror Coalition
In another meeting with the French official on Sunday, Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Iran will not wait for the formation of an international coalition to combat terrorism.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will not wait for any international coalition to fight terrorism and will act to meet its international responsibility within the framework of international regulations,” he said in reference to the US efforts to organize a “coordinated military campaign” against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq and Syria.
“The wrong and selective approach of the United States and other Western countries toward terrorist groups, including the IS, in Syria and Iraq has been the main factor which has boosted these groups and has posed threat to the stability and security of the region,” he said, IRNA reported.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the best way to fight the IS and terrorism in the region is to take measures to support the Iraqi and Syrian governments, which are actually engaged in the campaign against terrorism,” he added.
The French lawmaker highlighted the role Iran can play to help promote peace and stability in the region and said France and other European countries attach high importance to consultations with Iran on the issues facing the Middle East region.
Although Tehran and Paris have differing views on some regional issues, they share views on many other issues, including the campaign against terrorism, and can increase their cooperation in this regard, she said.
