Kanaani: A deal could be reached if Iranian red lines are respected

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According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani, an agreement could be reached at the talks for the 2015 JCPOA agreement revival if red lines established by Iran are observed and Iranian interests can be guaranteed fulfillment. 

Kanaani said at a press conference that “In general, we are at the progress stage, but it would depend on the other side when it comes to making a firm comment that a result has been achieved. The red lines of Iran must be observed and our interests must be ensured. In that case, the ground will be definitely prepared for signing an agreement in the near future.” 

The official pointed out that although advancements have been achieved in a number of areas since the Iranian delegation of negotiators saw that the negotiations are being taken seriously by other parties, they have not entirely met Tehran's demands.

Kanaani stressed that Iran would only consider the text of an agreement to be finalized when its red lines are maintained and its economic gains under the JCPOA are fully guaranteed.

On August 14, the Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, said that the final agreement on the restoration of the JCPOA on the Iranian nuclear program may be reached as early as next week.

When asked, the representative said that "It is possible if all countries participating in the Vienna talks agree with the version of the text provided by EU coordinators on August 8. If amendments and objections appear it is difficult to project further developments now. We have to wait for the beginning of next week."

In 2015, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany reached a nuclear deal with Iran in order to address the crisis around its nuclear program. In 2018, then-US President Donald Trump decided to pull out of the agreement, with Washington slapping its most sweeping sanctions ever on Tehran. The current occupant of the Oval Office, Joe Biden, has repeatedly indicated his support for reentering the nuclear deal.

Since last April, Russia, the UK, Germany, China, the US, and France have been conducting discussions with Iran in Vienna on reviving the JCPOA in its original form.

Read more: EU may ease pressure on IRGC to revive JCPOA: Reports