News / Nuclear Energy

Zarif, Kerry meet to discuss Iran's complaints

Wednesday, 15 June 2016 10:37 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 16 June 2016 3:09 AM ]

This file photo shows Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (R) and his American counterpart John Kerry in New York, April 22, 2016. (By AFP)

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and US Secretary of State John Kerry have met to discuss the implementation of last year's nuclear accord and obligations in its implementation.

The 70-minute closed-door talks in a downtown Oslo hotel on Wednesday touched on Iran's complaints that it's not getting the sanctions relief it deserves under the agreement.

The meeting came just a day after Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stated again that the US is not living up to its commitment to ease sanctions under the agreement.

"The two discussed progress on the continuing implementation of the (nuclear deal), including issues related to banking and relief of nuclear-related sanctions," the State Department said in a brief statement.

On Tuesday, Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran has fulfilled its obligations under the agreement but the US is dragging its feet on lifting sanctions in the banking and insurance sectors, and on unfreezing Iranian assets.

"The Americans have not carried out an important part of their commitments," the Leader said. Ayatollah Khamenei also said if the next US president tears up the nuclear deal, Iran will "light it on fire."

Zarif, who was already in Oslo, said "psychological remnants" of the previous sanctions regime are preventing European and Asian banks from conducting business with Iran.

The minister said the US must show seriousness in encouraging banks to do business with Iran following the lifting of sanctions.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Ministers Abbas Araqchi and Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi also met with deputy EU foreign policy chief Helga Schmid.

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