Iran, Russia reaffirm determination to restore nuclear deal in its original version

The foreign ministers of Iran and Russia have reaffirmed their respective countries’ commitment to the restoration of the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in its original version.

The remarks by Iran’s Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, were made in a phone call on Monday, during which the two ministers exchanged views on the current situation surrounding the landmark nuclear accord being discussed in the Austrian capital of Vienna.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the two diplomats focused in their conversation on “vital issues related to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and Iran’s nuclear program in the context of the resumption of the negotiating process in Vienna” on November 29.

“Both parties affirmed the common determination to revive the nuclear deal in its original, balanced form, which was endorsed by the United Nations Security Council,” the statement said.

Lavrov and Amir-Abdollahian, as the statement said, underlined that “this is the only correct way to ensure that the rights and interests of all parties participating in the comprehensive agreements are taken care of.”

According to Iran's Foreign Ministry, during the telephone conversation, the Iranian foreign minister outlined Tehran’s position on the JCPOA, calling on the West parties to appear more serious in the Vienna talks and demanding the negotiating parties to come up with initiatives in the sanctions removal talks.

Noting that repeated emphasis has been put on the need to remove all illegal sanctions imposed on Iran, including those contrary to the 2015 nuclear deal and UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorses it, Lavrov said Russia has spared no effort to get Americans attune all their laws with the JCPOA regulations and those stipulated by the UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

Lavrov added that diplomatic creativity of all negotiating parties in addition to showing patience for achieving necessary coordination were keys to the success of the ongoing round of talks in the Austrian capital.

Political will exists in Vienna to reach concrete result: Russia's lead negotiator

Russia

Chances to restore JCPOA have increased: Ryabkov

Separately on Monday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the chances for reaching an agreement on restoring the JCPOA have increased.

"I think that now, the likelihood that we will come to an agreement has increased compared to what it was before the resumption of negotiations. I would rather say that there are reasons to expect some progress, not fast but at least clear, without any kickbacks and additional factors that can complicate [the situation]," Ryabkov told Russia’s Sputnik news agency.

The Russian diplomat said the proposals put forward by Iran at the Vienna talks on the removal of sanctions demonstrate Tehran's utmost seriousness about restoring the nuclear deal.

"Negotiations are for finding a common denominator. It is not hopeless. On the contrary, there is material for consideration. As for the Iranian proposals, I can only say one thing — they have demonstrated the utmost seriousness of their approach to the task," Ryabkov said.

Russia’s deputy foreign minister added that it is counterproductive to threaten Iran with sanctions at a time that the nuclear talks are underway in Vienna.

Iran’s top negotiator: We received no initiative, proposal from other side in Vienna talks so far

Iran’s top negotiator says the Iranian delegation has so far received no initiative or proposal from the other side in Vienna talks.

The JCPOA was abandoned by former US President Donald Trump in May 2018. Trump then targeted Iran’s economy with what he called a “maximum pressure” campaign, which failed to compel Iran to negotiate a “new deal.”

Iran and the five remaining parties to the JCPOA -- Germany, Britain, France, Russia and China -- began the talks in the Austrian capital in April with the aim of removing the sanctions after the US, under President Joe Biden, voiced its willingness to return to the agreement.

During the seventh round of the Vienna talks, the first under President Ebrahim Raeisi, Iran presented two draft texts which address, separately, the removal of US sanctions and Iran’s return to its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA. Tehran also said it was preparing a third draft text on the verification of the sanctions removal.

In an exclusive interview with Press TV on Sunday, Iran’s chief negotiator in Vienna talks Ali Bagheri Kani said the Iranian side has not received any constructive initiative or proposal from the opposite side during the ongoing negotiations in the Austrian capital.

He added that the removal of the illegal and cruel US sanctions and Iran’s nuclear activities are two main sticking points in the current talks over which there still remains a host of differences between the two sides.

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