Iran Launches Diplomatic Talks in Vienna, "Israel" Concerned
Iran holds diplomatic talks with Russia and China ahead of the Vienna talks, and the Israeli prime minister says, "Israel is concerned."
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The Iranian flag in front of the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria. Iran's negotiating team held bilateral and trilateral meetings in Vienna on November 28, 2021 (Credit: Reuters)
The Iranian delegation to Vienna, led by Ali Bagheri Kani, held bilateral and trilateral meetings in the Austrian capital with delegates from Russia and China, ISNA, the Iranian Students News Agency, reported Sunday.
These diplomatic meetings come ahead of the Vienna talks, which aim to revive the 2015 JCPOA after the United States withdrew from the deal in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump.
Iranian diplomat Mohammad Reza Ghaebi told ISNA the Iranian team arrived Saturday in Vienna and held talks that continued Sunday with Russian and Chinese representatives and EU negotiator Enrique Mora.
The Joint Commission of the JCPOA will meet Monday at the Palais Coburg in Vienna, and the P4+1 will attend.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani had arrived Saturday in the Austrian capital ahead of the Vienna talks.
After a five-month hiatus, the negotiations will continue with the P4+1, and it is expected that the United States will partake in the negotiations indirectly.
Bagheri Kani had criticized the Biden administration's performance, saying the current administration is repeating some of its predecessor's mistakes and upholds the failed maximum pressure policy against Tehran.
"Israel" is concerned
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said "Tel Aviv" was highly concerned about the nuclear talks and major world powers lifting sanctions on Iran in return for imposing restrictions on its nuclear program.
The occupation's PM voiced his concern over the "flow of billions to Iran in the face of insufficient nuclear restrictions."
Just yesterday, various Israeli security figures voiced their concerns over the talks and Iran's return to the JCPOA altogether.
Earlier on Sunday, the US special envoy to Iran said Washington and co. were likely to exert pressure on Iran if it uses the Monday talks "as a pretext to accelerate its nuclear program."
JCPOA evidence of US interests opposing those of the region: Raisi
"Washington's withdrawal from the nuclear agreement proves that its interests are incompatible with those of our region," Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi asserted Sunday.
Raisi's words came during the Economic Cooperation Organization summit in Turkmenistan, where he also said joint cooperation served the region's interests, something Iran was ready for, he explained.
"Iran has undertaken an approach aimed to develop cooperation with neighboring countries and the region," Raisi revealed Sunday, adding that the means needed for developing Iran and enhancing bilateral and regional cooperation is already there.
