Lavrov, Amir-Abdollahian discuss joint action plan on Vienna talks
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During a phone call with the Russian FM, Amir-Abdollahian has stressed that sanctions should not distress Iran’s cooperation with any country, most notably Russia.
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Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Russian counterpart
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Monday that sanctions imposed on other countries, including Russia, should not affect cooperation between Iran and those countries.
Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks during a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov during which the two top diplomats discussed a variety of regional and international issues, including the Ukrainian crisis and ongoing talks in Vienna on lifting sanctions against Iran.
"We are opposed to both war and imposition of sanctions,” Iran’s top diplomat said, adding, “It goes without saying that sanctions should not affect Iran’s cooperation with any country, including Russia.”
Furthermore, Amir-Abdollahian stated, "We are making serious efforts to reach a good and strong agreement in Vienna," referring to ongoing talks in Vienna between Iran and the P4+1 group of countries aimed at reviving the landmark 2015 Iran deal.
"Good progress has been made [in the Vienna talks] so far, but despite such progress, some issues have not yet been resolved in Vienna, which requires a political decision by the West," he added.
On his part, Lavrov emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in a variety of areas, particularly trade and economic sectors.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also condemned the sanctions imposed on his country.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh stated in his weekly press conference that the IAEA chief's Saturday trip to Iran was in continuation of the talks in Vienna.
He added that Iran would cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog based on the joint statement issued on Saturday, adding that Iran responded to the IAEA's questions.
Khatibzadeh confirmed that closing the IAEA’s open issues and the potential deal in Vienna were directly linked.
Regarding the Russian FM’s remarks on the effect of anti-Russian sanctions on Moscow-Tehran trade, Khatibzadeh revealed that Iran is waiting to hear what was said from diplomatic channels.
He added that the talks are flowing in the correct direction, emphasizing that Iran's peaceful nuclear cooperation should not be limited or affected.
The diplomat described Russia’s approach in Vienna as “so far constructive," adding that the teams have gathered together in Vienna to reach a collective agreement.
The Vienna Talks between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties began in April on the assumption that the US, under the Joe Biden administration, is willing to reverse the so-called maximum pressure policy pursued by former President Donald Trump against Tehran.
Iran has stated that it will not accept anything less than the complete removal of all US sanctions in a verifiable manner. It also wants assurances that Washington will not withdraw from the agreement again.
