US in 'regular indirect contact' with Iran via EU for JCPOA return
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The State Department spokesperson Ned Price reveals that the US and Iran are in regular indirect contact, and Washington is demanding Tehran back down from its demands.
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US in 'regular indirect contact' with Iran via EU for JCPOA return.
The State Department spokesperson Ned Price stated that the US has been in regular indirect contact with Iran through the European Union and is awaiting a constructive response from Tehran about potentially returning to the Iran nuclear deal.
"We have we have been in regular indirect contact via the European Union," Price said during a press briefing. "We await a constructive response from the Iranians, a response that leaves behind issues that are extraneous to the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]."
Price stated that Tehran must drop its demands that go beyond the scope of the nuclear agreement in order for the JCPOA to go into effect as soon as possible.
Iran has advanced its nuclear program in 'dangerous ways', with the goal of acquiring enough material for a nuclear weapon in weeks or less, according to Price.
Read next: Grossi: Iran plans to disconnect 20 IAEA cameras
Iran signed the JCPOA in 2015 with the P5+1 group of countries (the United States, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Germany), as well as the European Union. The agreement stipulated that Iran must scale back its nuclear program and significantly reduce its uranium reserves in exchange for sanctions relief, including the lifting of the arms embargo five years after the agreement was signed.
The US unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and imposed comprehensive sanctions on Iran, causing the country to largely abandon its obligations under the agreement.
In April 2021, the parties to the agreement, along with the United States, met in Vienna to begin negotiations to restore the agreement. However, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced in March that the Vienna talks would be suspended due to external factors.
Read next: 2021 Roundup: A JCPOA revival in 2022?
Earlier today, Iran's Foreign Minister said that Tehran will take a firm stance against excessive demands related to the Viena Talks. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stated that whenever Iran was treated in a logical way by the other side, it offered initiatives and ideas on a logical basis.
Meanwhile, every time the other side had excessive demands, Iran made use of its tools and power to deliver the message that the interests and welfare of the Iranian people were the priority.
"While emphasizing the need to completely protect the rights of the country in the international arena, our people expect us to do so while respecting all the red lines," the top diplomat explained.
