Revival of JCPOA Still Viable: Iranian Spokesman
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry dismissed the US notion that the talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal have reached a stalemate, saying an agreement is still within reach as Tehran remains committed to diplomacy.
In comments at a weekly press conference on Monday, Nasser Kanaani said Iran is determined to strike a durable agreement and remains committed to the course of negotiations on lifting the sanctions and saving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Pointing to Iran’s “transparent” response to a text proposed by the European parties, the spokesman said Iran is still committed to the course of diplomacy and welcomes efforts by the other countries.
“The possibility for an agreement and the resumption of implementation of the JCPOA still exists. Such an agreement is viable should the other side show its political will,” he added.
The spokesman dismissed comments from the American officials that the JCPOA talks had reached a stalemate, adding, “I would not confirm the term stalemate, because the process of exchanging messages goes on.”
Criticizing the US for the lack of political determination and imposing fresh sanctions on Iran, Kanaani said negotiations under the shadow of sanctions would not yield results.
“On the one hand, we see messages being sent (by the US), and on the other hand, we see new (US) sanctions against Iran. It reveals the duality of this (American) government,” he stated.
Numerous rounds of negotiations between the signatories to the JCPOA have taken place in the Austrian capital since last year in order to explore the possibility of the agreement's revival and the lifting of the unjustified economic sanctions.
The persistent refusal of Washington to abide by Iran's red lines has caused numerous interruptions in the negotiations.
The European Union recently developed a draft proposal to resurrect the agreement, serving as the coordinator in the indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington. The bloc accepted Tehran's response, which it deemed to be "reasonable."
It took the United States several weeks to respond to Iran's remarks.
The United States’ excessive demands and lack of political will have so far prevented an agreement to be reached in the talks.
