Iran Demands Complete Sanctions Relief in U.S. Talks

Iranwire – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that the Islamic Republic’s primary demand in nuclear negotiations with the United States is the complete lifting of sanctions.

“In principle, all sanctions imposed against Iran have been unjustified and illegal, and we make no distinction between them,” he said.

He added, “We also have the experience of the JCPOA and the breaches of promises that occurred. It is natural that our fundamental demand in any negotiation is the lifting of sanctions in a way that has tangible and completely effective results.

“This means Iran should be able to conduct its commercial and banking activities normally.”

Baghaei declined to confirm details reported in the media about the negotiations, dismissing them as speculation and saying such information was not meant for public disclosure. He noted that Iran was “at the beginning of a long path.”

Regarding the location of the talks, Baghaei said Oman – thanked for its role as host and mediator – had proposed holding the second round outside Muscat.

With agreement from all three parties, Rome was chosen as the location for the second round of talks over the weekend.

The four-hour discussions, mediated by Oman, took place at the Omani ambassador’s residence, with the delegations placed in separate rooms. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi shuttled between the parties to deliver messages.

“The two sides agreed to resume indirect talks at a technical level over the next few days and subsequently continue at the level of two senior negotiators next Saturday,” Baghaei said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the meeting as “good,” saying that progress was made.

“This time, we managed to reach a better understanding on a series of principles and goals,” he said, adding that only nuclear issues were discussed.

Baghaei announced that the next round of both technical and high-level negotiations would return to Muscat.