Iranian, Qatari FMs discuss JCPOA revival talks, vow to expand mutual ties

Iranian and Qatari foreign ministers have discussed the latest developments in the course of Vienna talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, and explored avenues for further expansion of relations between the two countries.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said in a tweet that he was pleased to discuss the fate of the nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with his Iranian counterpart Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

The two foreign ministers met in New York ahead of the 77th United Nations General Assembly session.

“Pleased to meet HE Dr. @Amirabdolahian, Foreign Minister of #Iran, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations & the latest developments in the negotiations to return to the Joint Action Plan with the US Looking forward to our cooperative efforts in this regard. #UNGA77,” Sheikh Mohammed tweeted.

Earlier in the day, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said experts from Tehran and the remaining parties to the JCPOA – Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom and Germany – may convene a meeting in New York on the sidelines of the forthcoming 77th UNGA session, to discuss the removal of Washington’s anti-Iran sanctions.

Nasser Kan’ani made the remarks during a press briefing in the capital Tehran when asked to comment on President Ebrahim Raeisi’s visit to New York and the fact that Iran’s top negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani is accompanying the Iranian delegation.

“While no plan has been defined for the sanctions removal talks, international meetings and marginal negotiations among officials from participating countries always provide a favorable opportunity for the exchange of viewpoints on issues of common interest, as well as regional, multilateral and international developments,” he said.

Iran FM: Agreement possible if American side applies 'realism'

Iran says the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal is "possible" if the American side applies "realism."

“I do not rule out the possibility that there could be nuclear-oriented and sanctions removal negotiations on the sidelines of the meetings … Iran has never left the negotiating table and considers negotiations a proper, logical and reasonable way to resolving disputes,” Kan’ani said.

He added that Iran will use every opportunity to express its constructive and logical views, and that the UN General Assembly session is among the available chances.

The United States, under former president Donald Trump, abandoned the Iran deal in May 2018 and reinstated unilateral sanctions that the agreement had lifted.

US, allies stove off deal to revive nuclear pact for months, says Iranian adviser

An adviser to Iranian negotiators at the Vienna talks says there could have been a deal on reviving the 2015 nuclear accord months ago if the US and E3 had not “dragged their feet.”

The talks to salvage the agreement kicked off in the Austrian capital city of Vienna in April last year, months after Joe Biden succeeded Trump, with the intention of examining Washington’s seriousness in rejoining the deal and removing anti-Iran sanctions.

Despite notable progress, the US indecisiveness and procrastination caused multiple interruptions in the marathon talks.

Amir-Abdollahian meets counterparts in New York

Amir-Abdollahian also met separately with his counterparts from South Korea and Lebanon, discussing issues of mutual interest.

In the meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin in New York on Monday, Amir-Abdollahian held talks about a host of topics, including ways to boost bilateral relations between Tehran and Seoul in diverse fields.

The Iranian foreign minister also met with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib.

During the talks, the top diplomats exchanged views about various issues ranging from bilateral ties between Iran and Arab the country to the most important developments in the Middle East region and the world.

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