Nuclear talks currently underway in Abu Dhabi between Iran, E3

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Jun 2023 17:32
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Three European diplomats and Iranian officials discuss bilateral cooperation and development with the Iranian nuclear program at the forefront.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani listens to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, June 23, 2022. (AP)

Iran's nuclear negotiator said on Tuesday that he met with three European diplomats from three different countries in Abu Dhabi to discuss several issues, including the country's nuclear energy program.

"Following diplomatic consultations with regional and extra-regional parties, we met with our German, French, and British counterparts in Abu Dhabi and discussed a range of issues," Deputy Foreign Minister and top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani tweeted.

در ادامه رایزنی‌های دیپلماتیک با طرف‌های منطقه‌ای و فرامنطقه‌ای، با همتایان آلمانی، فرانسوی و انگلیسی خود در ابوظبی ملاقات کرده و در مورد طیفی از موضوعات و نگرانی‌های متقابل با هم گفتگو نمودیم.
— علی باقری‌کنی (@Bagheri_Kani) June 13, 2023

The meeting took place on Monday, according to Germany's Foreign Ministry, and focused on Iran's nuclear program.

IRNA added that Bagheri Kani was also in Abu Dhabi to discuss the promotion of bilateral cooperation and to evaluate regional issues with officials.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015 granted Iran sanctions relief in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program, ensuring that Tehran could not create a nuclear weapon, which it has long denied seeking.

Moreover, the US withdrawal from the accord in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump and the reimposition of biting economic sanctions prompted Iran to begin rolling back on its own commitments. On-again, off-again talks to resurrect the deal with France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China, as well as the United States, have faltered in recent months.

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Nasser Kanani, said on Monday that the country is still in indirect talks with the US about the issue.

Moreover, the spokesperson explained that while Tehran does not trust the West, and has developed its own policy with the aim of "neutralizing sanctions," it remained that it has "never stopped the diplomatic processes with the aim of removing the cruel sanctions."

Khamenei encourages conditional nuclear development

Iranian leader, Ali Khamenei, underlined on Sunday that the country is not seeking nuclear weapons and that the country's nuclear industry has played a major role in improving people's lives in the technological, economic, and health domains, as well as contributing to the country's global and international political positioning.

Despite restrictions and threats against scientists, some of whom were assassinated, the Iranian leader underscored that the nuclear challenge has proven the incredible competence and brilliance of Iranian youth.

The past 20 years, he stressed, demonstrated the extent of the unreliability of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has given Iran assurances in bilateral talks, and voiced the contrary in the discussions aimed at reviving the 2025 nuclear agreement.

Raisi's phone conversation with Macron

During a phone conversation with the President of France Emmanuel Macron on Saturday afternoon, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi discussed matters of serious concern on the part of Iran's security interests and bilateral interests, MEHR news agency reports.

First, matters pertaining to bilateral relations and regional developments were discussed, including talks involving major world powers known as the P4+1 and Iran aimed at removing sanctions against Iran.

The two also discussed European misconceptions built around the image of Iran, noting that this is the outcome of anti-Iran propaganda, terrorists, and separatist groups which have been sheltered by the EU itself.