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Al-Monitor – Negotiations are set to resume Tuesday in Vienna to revive the nuclear deal between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany. The deal aims to restore the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, under which Iran would roll back its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief by the US, which left the deal in 2018.
On Feb. 4, the US waived sanctions on Iran’s civilian nuclear program, which were imposed by the Trump administration after Washington exited the nuclear deal. The move would allow third-party countries to work on Iran’s nuclear program, specifically removing stockpiles. The move is seen as a technical step which would permit Iran to return to full compliance of the terms of the JCPOA.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh was the first Iranian official to respond to the news, saying, “Everyone knows this is not enough.” He added, “Any correct action taken in the direction of the implementation of the JCPOA commitments will receive close attention by Tehran.”
During a television interview with Iranian media, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in response to the US move, “Actions that are taken on paper can be good actions.” However, he added, “What is important for us is the actions of the opposing side. We look at what happens on the ground and see if the actions of the US with the removal of sanctions is genuine and tangible.”
Amir-Abdollahian continued that the Iranian delegation has received messages from the US through intermediaries that they have “good intentions” in these current negotiations. Given the US exit, Iran has refused to negotiate with the US directly. The E3 — France, Germany and the UK — are acting as intermediaries.
Amir-Abdollahian added, “In the process of the current negotiations we have not seen a serious or substantial initiative by the US.” When asked about a temporary deal, the foreign minister said, “We are seeking a good agreement, we are not seeking a temporary deal or one with [specific] duration.”
“The strategy of the US in the negotiations is to return empty and without costs to the JCPOA,” said Ebrahim Rezaei, a member of Iran’s national security and foreign policy commission.
