Iran Ready for Talks But Not Under Pressure

President Ebrahim Raeisi said talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal will be on his administration’s agenda, but not under pressure from the other negotiating sides. 
“The threats, pressure and cruel sanctions that they impose on the Iranian nation are not consistent with the nature of negotiations,” he said in his first televised address to the people on Saturday, President.ir reported. 
Talks initiated in April to restore the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which has been unravelling since the United States’ exit in 2018 and Iran’s reciprocal reduction of compliance in reaction to American reimposed sanctions. 
The negotiations, which aim to work out how both sides can resume full compliance, were halted following the June 18 presidential elections in Iran, with both sides blaming each other for the impasse.
The US says the ball is in Iran’s court while Tehran maintains that it is Washington which stubbornly sticks to its position, refusing to lift the sanctions and making excessive demands. 
Iranian officials have repeatedly censured the US for using sanctions as an instrument of pressure in the talks. 
Raeisi said negotiation has always been and still is an option for Iran as a diplomatic tool, but not under any circumstance. 
“We have no objection to talks, but what the western countries and Americans seek is adding pressure to these negotiations,” he said, reminding that the original purpose of dialogue is eliminating the use of force. 
“Imposing pressure along with talks has already been tried and failed,” he added, addressing the US and European countries. 
By engaging in these talks, Iran seeks to have the unjust sanctions removed, according to the president. 
“The pivot of talks will be securing the interests of the great Iranian nation … we will not take a single step back.” 
He said negotiation for the sake of negotiation alone is not acceptable and Iran demands talks focused on a result.
“Negotiations must have an outcome, meaning it must be followed by the lifting of sanctions on the Iranian nation so that the life of this great people will improve,” he said.   

No Security Reward

Raeisi later referred to the recent developments in Afghanistan following the US irresponsible exit, blaming the chaotic situation on Washington. 
“The issue of Afghanistan proved that not only has not the US presence brought about security anywhere in the world, but it has also undermined security and the rights of the people,” he said.
He said the solution for the situation in this country is that a government is settled by public vote.
“We support a government that comes to power by vote of the Afghan people as required by the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy principles,” he said, adding that such a ruling system can definitely have very good relations with Iran. 
Tehran has always sought the establishment of peace, end of bloodshed and rule of people’s will in Afghanistan, according to the president. 
“Security of Afghanistan is security of Iran. We deem the security of not only Afghanistan, but also all our neighbors, equal to our own security and promoting ties with these countries is a crucial matter and a priority of Iran’s foreign policy,” he said.  
He hoped that the people of Afghanistan can soon see the settlement of a government of their own choosing which incorporates the ideas of all groups and active parties in this country.
“Foreigners must avoid intruding into Afghanistan … everyone should allow the people of Afghanistan to decide their own fate,” Raeisi said.