Iran: US responsible for stalling, delaying response to EU

By Al-Mayadeen English
Source: Al-Mayadeen
22 Aug 2022 16:43
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The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson touches on a number of issues in a press briefing, such as the US response to the JCPOA proposal, Turkish stances on Syria, and Iranian- Saudi relations.

Iran: We share common interests with Saudi Arabia, talks are positive

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, announced today that "the EU has not yet received a response from the US regarding the JCPOA agreement," pointing out "Washington's responsibility for not reviving the nuclear agreement."

“We are still on the path of negotiations and do not yet accept the details and the next process that has not yet happened,” he stressed.

Talking to reporters in a press briefing today, Kanaani said Iran "will not remain idle toward the US and its delayed response to the EU proposal... The US is responsible for the current conditions of the agreement, and it is the side responsible for not reviving it."

He added that "in the past and latest rounds of negotiations, Iran has held a serious, constructive stance, having responded to the EU's proposals in a timely manner and remained flexible throughout the dialogue process. Washington, on the other hand, procrastinated on our response to the EU proposal, and the Iranian government wants an agreement."

Kanaani stressed that "Iran will not accept attritional negotiations and stresses the necessity of achieving results as soon as possible and reaching an agreement that satisfies all parties," while guaranteeing the interests of the Iranian people.

Prisoner exchange with Washington

In a related context, Kanaani announced Iran's readiness to discuss the prisoner exchange process with Washington outside the framework of the nuclear talks.

He said, "We will never link the prisoner exchange file with Washington with the JCPOA negotiations. We are ready to discuss the prisoner exchange process with Washington outside the framework of nuclear negotiations."

He stressed that what happened earlier is that the US failed to implement the agreement and slackened and limited its actions to launching slogans and media statements with nothing done on the ground.

"We share common interests with Saudi Arabia"

Elsewhere in his remarks, Kanaani stressed that Iran shares common interests with Saudi Arabia, pointing out that the talks between the two nations on the revival of relations are proceeding positively, driven by a mutual will to do so.

Kanaani said in his press statement this morning, "We share commonalities with Saudi Arabia, and talks to restore relations are proceeding positively."

While maintaining that "the negotiations between Tehran and Riyadh are positive," Kanaani stressed that "the process will not happen overnight."

Turkish statements toward Syria are encouraging

Regarding Syria, Kanaani called on Turkey to adjust its policies toward Syria and play a positive role in the region, stressing that recent Turkish statements about Syria were "encouraging".

“What the Turkish officials have said are encouraging," Kanaani said, hoping for the "rebuilding of relations between Turkey and Syria, which will be in their own interest and to the benefit of the region as well."

“We are witnessing the formation of new conditions in that country (Syria), meaning that the Syrian government has weathered the critical situation and achieved great success in the fight against terrorism,” he said.

He concluded his statement with hopes that "we will witness the beginning of constructive relations between Damascus and Ankara."