Iran Eyes Comprehensive Agreement in Vienna Talks

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in an Instagram post days after the seventh round of nuclear negotiations broke off for further consultations in capitals.  

The talks in the Austrian capital Vienna aim to restore the nuclear deal that has been unravelling since the United States pulled out and reimposed sanctions on Tehran, prompting Iran to react by scaling down its commitments under the agreement, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 

Iran’s position is that all sanctions must be lifted at once and in a verifiable manner and assurances must be provided that no future administration would back out of the accord. 

This is while the idea of an interim agreement has been reportedly raised by US officials to buy more time for nuclear negotiations. 

Under such a plan, the US and its allies could release some frozen Iranian funds or provide sanctions waivers on humanitarian goods in exchange for Iran’s freeze on its nuclear advancements. 

“We do not consider an interim agreement a good agreement for us. An agreement needs to be comprehensive and Iran must be able to benefit from lifting of sanctions,” Amir-Abdollahian had earlier said on Monday, ISNA reported. 

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman also stressed on Monday that Tehran was only negotiating the lifting of sanctions and was not considering a temporary or interim agreement.

Saeed Khatibzadeh added that Iran is “not in a hurry” and would not allow anyone to “play” with their time and energy in Vienna.

Russia’s negotiator said in a tweet that there is no contradiction between an interim and a comprehensive agreement. 

“But it is a sovereign right of # Iran to define its position. Probably this is an indication that Tehran expects a comprehensive solution to be found without any delay,” Mikhail Ulyanov said in a tweet. 

No Maximalist Demands 

JCPOA negotiations restarted last week after a five-month pause due to a change of government in Iran, but were adjourned on Friday as participants requested a break to review Iran’s proposals in their capitals.   

Iran’s top negotiator Ali Baqeri and the European Union envoy chairing the negotiations Enrique Mora have reportedly finalized Thursday as the date to resume the talks, according to Tasnim News Agency. 

During the seventh round of talks, the new Iranian delegation put forward two proposals on sanctions lifting and nuclear steps which included amendments to the previously agreed drafts.

Western sides reacted critically, with European countries blaming Iran for what they called backtracking on the diplomatic progress made, and the US questioning Tehran’s seriousness to return to JCPOA compliance.  

Germany on Monday called on Iran to present “realistic proposals”, claiming that offers Tehran made last week almost all violate previously agreed compromises. 

Its proposals are “not a basis for a successful end to talks,” a German foreign ministry spokeswoman said. 

She said Berlin wants to build on progress already made and remains “committed to the diplomatic path, but the window of opportunity is closing more and more.”

Amir-Abdollahian said that the three European countries did not have any significant initiatives to offer in the new round of talks, and instead of looking for a solution, they seemed to be evaluating the Iranian team.

He rejected claims that Iran is making maximalist demands in its proposed drafts. 

“What the Iranian delegation has submitted as written document is completely within the framework of the JCPOA and contains nothing beyond the deal with no extra-JCPOA demands in the script,” Amir-Abdollahian said.

He added that Iran expects the other parties to return to Vienna with definite answers and proposals and stop the blame game. 

“In this case, a good agreement is within reach,” he said, adding Iran will pursue a path of diplomacy and negotiation in Vienna on the basis of logic and mutual understanding.