Iran FM hails Qatar for efforts to revive JCPOA deal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 Jan 2023 17:46

The JCPOA talks stalled last year, not only because of Iran's crackdown on western-sponsored rioters but also because of allegations that Iran supplied Russia with drones to be used in combat against Ukraine.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, left, is welcomed by his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian at the foreign ministry in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023 (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

During a joint press conference on Sunday with Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian hailed Qatar for its efforts to revive the JCPOA agreement.

"We thank Qatar for its efforts to lift the sanctions [imposed on Iran. Qatar is trying to return all JCPOA parties to their commitments. Today, we received messages from the other parties of the JCPOA [talks] through the Foreign Minister of Qatar. We thank Qatar for its goodwill to bring all parties to the final steps of the agreement. During the talks with Qatari FM, I pointed out the non-constructive role and interventionist actions of the United States and three European countries in the recent riots in Iran," said Amir-Abdollahian.

The Qatari Foreign Minister said on his part that Qatar urges all parties to resume talks, noting that he did convey to Iran the messages of concerned parties, including messages from the US.

"It is a good opportunity to solve the issues related to the nuclear deal and to find suitable conditions to return to the agreement," the Qatari FM said.

When asked whether Qatar will host the JCPOA talks, Al Thani said, "We try as much as possible to eliminate concerns between the parties to the agreement. Qatar seeks stability in the region and achieving a nuclear agreement because it is an important factor for stability in the region. We are trying to resolve misunderstandings so that preparations can be made to reach an agreement."

The year 2022 was uneasy for Iran. As every other year, Iran endures systematic threats from the West. But 2022 was incomparably difficult because of the heavy toll from western-fueled riots on Iran's domestic security.

The JCPOA talks stalled last year, not only because of Iran's crackdown on western-sponsored rioters but also because of allegations that Iran supplied Russia with drones to be used in combat against Ukraine.

Recently, external members have shown interest in assisting with the process of reviving the talks.

This includes Omar which the Iranian Foreign Minister praised yesterday for their positive role in the JCPOA.

On Tuesday, Rafael Grossi, director of the IAEA, said that he plans to head to Iran next month for "much-needed" talks with Tehran.

"I might be back in Tehran... in February, perhaps, for a much-needed political dialogue, or reestablishment thereof, with Iran," Grossi told lawmakers in the European Parliament.