Iran FM: Resolution of outstanding issues in Vienna talks hinges on US decision

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says the resolution of the remaining issues in the ongoing talks in the Austrian capital for the revival of the 2015 deal depends on the US decision.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks during a phone call with his Omani counterpart, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, on Monday, while discussing with him bilateral relations as well as major regional and international developments.

“The negotiations in Vienna have not come to a halt, but a short pause has been announced in coordination with the European Union’s coordinator,” Iran’s foreign minister said.

Amir-Abdollahian added that Iran’s top negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani, is seriously trying to clinch a good, strong and lasting agreement through the talks.

“The resolution of the outstanding issues, which are among our red lines, depends on the will of the American side and its decision to stop wasting time,” he added.

Iran’s foreign minister emphasized that “the Islamic Republic of Iran is serious about achieving a good, reliable and lasting agreement” through the Vienna talks.

The United States left the multilateral Iran deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in 2018 and began to implement what it called the “maximum pressure” campaign of sanctions against the Islamic Republic, depriving the country of the economic benefits of the agreement, including the removal of sanctions, in return for which Iran had agreed to put certain caps on its nuclear activities.

In the meantime, the other parties to the deal, in particular France, Britain and Germany, only paid lip service to safeguarding Iran’s economic dividends as promised under the JCPOA, prompting Iran – after an entire year of “strategic patience” – to reduce its nuclear obligations in a legal move under the deal.

The Vienna talks began last April between Iran and the remaining parties to the JCPOA- Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China- on the assumption that the US, under the administration of President Joe Biden, is willing to repeal the so-called maximum pressure policy pursued by former president, Donald Trump, against Tehran.

Iran and the P4+1 group of countries on Friday announced a pause in the Vienna talks, with Tehran saying that all relevant parties will concentrate on a “successful conclusion” of the diplomatic process.

The Omani foreign minister, for his part, hailed his country's positive relations with Iran and also the Islamic Republic's logical approach to mutual issues.

Oman has always emphasized the importance of resolving various crises through dialogue and negotiations, and supported the promotion of peace, Albusaidi said.

He expressed hope that Tehran and Muscat would finalize and implement bilateral agreements as soon as possible.

The top Omani diplomat also hoped that Iran and the P4+1 group of countries would reach a final agreement in Vienna, saying it would be beneficial to all the sides and the entire region.

Iran's top security official said on Monday that Tehran will remain in the talks with the P4+1 group of countries in the Austrian capital on the JCPOA revival and the removal of sanctions until a "strong agreement" is reached that will guarantee the Islamic Republic's logical demands.

"We will remain in the #ViennaTalks until we reach a 'strong agreement' that meets all our legal and logical demands," Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said in a post on his official Twitter account.

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