Lavrov: Iran needs more clarity

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In a briefing on Saturday, the Russian Foreign Minister said he asked the US to provide written guarantees that sanctions against Russia would not affect the progress with Iran on the revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

During the briefing, Lavrov stressed, "We need guarantees these [Western anti-Russian] sanctions will in no way affect the regime of trade, economic and investment ties that are laid out in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear program."

Lavrov detailed that the Americans were asked for written guarantees, "At least at the level of the Secretary of State, that the current process launched by the United States will not in any way infringe on our rights for free, full trade and economic, investment, military and technical cooperation with Iran."

Iran, UN adopt pragmatic approach: Grossi

Earlier today, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said the agency and Iran agree to adopt a "practical and pragmatic approach" to resolve issues.

The IAEA and Iran had "a lot of serious difficulties that we needed to handle," Grossi said, adding that they have now "agreed to try a constructive, pragmatic way" to overcome them.

He made the remarks during a visit to Iran in a joint press conference with Mohammed Eslami, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), following talks viewed as critical to renewing the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Eslami said the two sides had come to the "conclusion that some documents which need to be exchanged between the IAEA and the Iranian organization should be exchanged" by May 22.

Amir-Abdollahian: Ready to sign nuclear agreement if red lines are observed by the West

During a phone call with the European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, the Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Iran was ready to finalize an agreement, so long as the West accepts the remaining declared red lines.

The Iranian Foreign Minister expressed that the West's need for urgency will not prevent Iran's demand for economic guarantees before an agreement is reached.

Amir-Abdollahian declared that "when Western parties agree to take our red lines into consideration, I will be available in Vienna to sign the agreement."

On his part, the European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressed during the call that from the EU's point of view, most of Iran's demands were mentioned in the agreement, adding that negotiations are in progress to reach final results. 

Ulyanov: Final stages are near 

The head of the Russian negotiation delegation, Mikhail Ulyanov, said in a statement to an IRNA correspondent Thursday that the final stages of negotiations are near and an agreement has practically been achieved.

He added, however, that several remaining issues remain unresolved, detailing that they could be resolved within 24 to 48 hours. 

A very useful meeting this evening with the chief Iranian negotiator Dr. Ali Bagheri Kani. We discussed what else needs to be done to finalise the #ViennaTalks on #JCPOA. pic.twitter.com/walUU3qDtu

— Mikhail Ulyanov (@Amb_Ulyanov) March 3, 2022

The US State Department yesterday announced it was "close" to an agreement, noting that "a number of difficult issues remain unsolved."

State Department Deputy Spokesperson Jalina Porter said there was “very little remaining time” to reach an agreement.

In a phone briefing, Porter told reporters, "We will not have a deal unless we resolve quickly the remaining issues."

Last month, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stressed that the West must take a serious and effective decision with regard to canceling the embargo and proving its true deflection from the failed policies of the previous US government.