Iran refutes reports of Russian interim deal in Vienna talks
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An Iranian government spokesperson refuted NBC reports that Moscow put forward a proposal to Iran provide sanction relief in exchange for reimposing some curbs on its nuclear program.
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Ali Bahadori Jahromi, an Iranian government spokesperson
In the ongoing Vienna negotiations to revive the JCPOA, it is reported that Iran isn't considering any interim deal, including an accord with Russia, according to media reports on Tuesday, citing government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi.
Jahromi denied reports, particularly from US media outlet NBC, that Moscow made a proposal to Iran to provide sanction relief in exchange for reimposing some curbs on its nuclear program.
The outlet, citing US officials with the knowledge of the matter, said that Washington is aware of discussions occurring between Putin and Raisi during Iran's trip to Moscow in early January 2022.
According to Tasnim News Agency, Jahromi denied allegations of the aforementioned discussions, contending that the Vienna talks, which have entered their eighth round in December 2021, are focused on matters to cancel US sanctions.
Putin and Raisi, during their meeting in Moscow, discussed these matters in particular, Jahromi said.
Iran signed the JCPOA with Russia, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, France, and Germany in 2015. In 2018, the Trump administration withdrew from the deal and enacted hardline policies against Iran, prompting the latter to largely abandon its obligations.
US Deputy Special Envoy for Iran resigns amid nuclear talks
Richard Nephew, US Deputy Special Envoy for Iran, has left his post from the nuclear negotiations team, Reuters reported on Monday.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Nephew resigned over differences of opinion within the US negotiating team on Iran. He backed a firmer stance in the current negotiations, the paper said.
On his account, US Deputy Special Envoy for Iran Richard Nephew is no longer on the negotiating team, but remains a State Department employee, according to a State Department official.
The official did not specify a reason for the change, but said “personnel moves were very common a year into an administration”.
The resignation comes at a critical time, as the US and its European allies announced last week that a few weeks remain to salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
Read More: 2021 Roundup: A JCPOA revival in 2022?
Indirect talks between Iran and the US recommenced almost two months ago.
Washington announced Monday it is ready to meet directly with Iran to advance ongoing Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiations, a State Department spokesperson told Sputnik.
AFP has also quoted a US official as saying that Washington is ready for urgent, direct negotiations with Iran.
