US realism key to reaching nuclear deal: Amir-Abdollahian

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Sep 20:01

In a phone call with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi, the Iranian Foreign Minister reaffirms that Tehran has the necessary determination and goodwill to reach a good nuclear agreement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian reaffirmed that an eventual agreement in the talks on reviving the JCPOA and lifting sanctions on Tehran will require Washington's focus on "realism" and “determination”.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a phone call with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi on Wednesday afternoon.

He also affirmed Iran's willingness to save the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Elsewhere in his remarks, the top Iranian diplomat emphasized that Tehran has the necessary determination and goodwill to reach a good agreement in the Vienna talks.

Referring to the quarterly meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors in Vienna, Amir-Abdollahian warned the Board that issuing any "unconstructive statement" at the meeting will be "futile".

On his part, Al-Busaidi highlighted the importance of reaching an agreement and returning all parties to their contractual obligations.

He also emphasized the importance of efforts aimed at achieving positive results.

A look back

Iran signed the JCPOA in 2015, with the P5+1 group of countries (the United States, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom - plus Germany) and the European Union.

It required Iran to reduce 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 #JCPOA was an agreement reached between Iran and the P5+1 (5 permanent UNSC members + Ger.), whereby #Iran would decrease uranium enrichment & allow IAEA monitoring of its nuclear facilities in exchange for economic & trade incentives & removal of sanctions.#ViennaTalks pic.twitter.com/H0tDP62DbC
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 2, 2021

The United States abandoned its conciliatory stance toward Iran in 2018, withdrawing from the JCPOA and implementing draconian sanctions against Tehran, prompting Iran to largely abandon its obligations under the agreement.

Last year, JCPOA parties agreed on two drafts of a new agreement, but no final agreement has been reached. Since then, the parties have held several rounds of talks in an attempt to resurrect the agreement.