Iran sets conditions for nuclear talks with US

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has outlined Tehran's conditions for engaging in nuclear negotiations with the United States. 

Araghchi emphasized that talks with Washington would not resume unless the U.S. returns to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or clearly defines its policy regarding the agreement, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media. 

“We will not negotiate with the U.S. government on the nuclear issue until they return to the JCPOA or in any case announce their own policy in this regard,” Araghchi stated. However, he noted that Iran is actively engaging in discussions with European countries, Russia, and China.

Highlighting the decision-making process on critical issues like sanctions negotiations, Araghchi explained, “All words are heard, and ultimately the decision is made where it should be made. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs naturally implements what is the decision of the system.”

Araghchi revealed that Iran held a fresh round of talks with representatives from the UK, France, and Germany, as well as Enrique Mora, the European Union’s coordinator for JCPOA discussions. He described the talks as part of efforts to find a pathway to restart the stalled negotiations.

“We have never left the negotiating table on the nuclear issue,” Araghchi asserted, reiterating Tehran’s confidence in the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. “We are sure of the peaceful nature of our nuclear program and have never had a fundamental problem in providing this assurance to others.”

The JCPOA, signed in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 (the United States, the UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany), faced a major setback in 2018 when then-U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the agreement and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Current U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed interest in reviving the deal.

Efforts to salvage the JCPOA began in April 2021 with negotiations in Vienna aimed at assessing Washington’s commitment to rejoining the deal and lifting sanctions. Talks have remained at a standstill since August due to the U.S.’s refusal to remove all Trump-era sanctions. Iran has insisted on receiving guarantees that any new agreement will be upheld by the United States.

By Khagan Isayev