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Iran: Agreement in Vienna talks within reach if US acts ‘logically’

Iran explores alternative banking mechanism to promote trade with India

If the United States acts “logically,” an agreement in the Vienna talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal will be within reach, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said…reports Asian Lite News

Amir Abdollahian made the remarks on Thursday in a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, calling on the other sides in the Vienna talks to put forward their initiatives to this end, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website.

He said Tehran is willing to reach a “good,” “strong,” and “lasting” agreement while observing the Islamic Republic’s red lines, Xinhua news agency reported.

The senior diplomat also praised Russia for its positive stance and support for the achievement of an agreement that is acceptable to Iran.

ALSO READ: Iran demands US response to its proposals on stalled Vienna talks

Describing ties with Tehran as important, the Russian foreign minister, for his part, stressed that Moscow will continue its support and efforts to make sure that a fair agreement would be reached in Vienna that safeguards Iran’s demands.

In 2015, Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers, including the United States. However, former US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the pact in May 2018 and re-imposed sanctions on Iran, which prompted the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments.

Since April 2021, Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties have held several rounds of talks in Vienna to revive the deal.

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Iran demands US response to its proposals on stalled Vienna talks

“If the United States responds to these proposals, we will be in a position where all parties will return to Vienna to reach an agreement,” the Iranian spokesman noted….reports Asian Lite News

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh has called for a US political decision on the Vienna nuclear talks, saying Iran has already made its own proposals.

“If the United States announces its political decision, we can take an important step in this regard,” Khatibzadeh said on Monday during his weekly press conference, reaffirming Iran’s demands that its legal rights should be respected and all pressures exerted by former US President Donald Trump removed.

Referring to the recent visit by Enrique Mora, EU Chief Coordinator for the Iran nuclear talks, he added that “definite initiatives” and “some solutions” were proposed during Mora’s visit and his “long talks” with Ali Bagheri, Iran’s Chief nuclear negotiator in the Vienna talks.

“If the United States responds to these proposals, we will be in a position where all parties will return to Vienna to reach an agreement,” the Iranian spokesman noted.

Khatibzadeh also praised Russia’s “constructive” role in the Vienna talks, but said the current Russia-Ukraine crisis may reduce its intermediary role in the talks, Xinhua news agency reported.

On Friday, EU’s foreign policy Chief Josep Borrell said Mora’s recent talks in Tehran had gone “better than expected”.

Iran signed a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with the world powers in July 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in return for the removal of the US-led sanctions.

However, Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to drop some of its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA.

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in Vienna between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties, including China, Britain, France, Russia and Germany, with the US indirectly involved, to revive the landmark pact.

ALSO READ: Biden’s nod for redeployment of troops to Somalia

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Blinken discusses Ukraine, Iran deal with Truss

Earlier, Blinken also met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Berlin and discussed security and economic assistance for Kyiv…reports Asian Lite News

On the sidelines of the NATO Foreign Ministerial meet, US State Secretary Antony Blinken on Sunday met with his counterparts from Germany, UK and France in Berlin where they discussed the Ukraine situation and the ongoing negotiation with Iran over the nuclear deal revival.

Blinken met with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss, and French Director-General for Political and Security Affairs Philippe Errera.

“They discussed the continued response among allies and partners against Russia’s brutal war of aggression with Ukraine. The leaders also discussed the ongoing negotiations with Iran and efforts to reach a deal on a mutual return to full Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) implementation,” read the State Department statement.

Taking to Twitter, Blinken wrote, “Discussed with my counterparts from Germany, the UK, and France today our plans to continue supporting Ukraine while holding Putin (Russian President Vladimir Putin) and his enablers accountable. We also discussed our efforts to achieve a mutual return to full JCPOA implementation with Iran.”

Earlier, Blinken also met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Berlin and discussed security and economic assistance for Kyiv.

“Met with FM @DmytroKuleba before today’s @NATO Foreign Ministerial to discuss the security and economic assistance Ukraine needs to defend itself against Russia’s unprovoked war. Our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains steadfast and enduring,” Blinken tweeted.

US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price, in a statement, said the two discussed this week’s G7 and NATO Foreign Ministerial meetings and the Secretary emphasized the strong support for Ukraine from Allies and partners during these meetings.

Blinken conveyed details regarding the latest tranche of US security assistance to bolster Ukraine’s defences, Price said. “The Secretary and Foreign Minister Kuleba also discussed the impact of Russia’s brutal war, including on global food security, and committed to seeking a solution to export Ukraine’s grain to international markets. The Secretary underscored the United States enduring commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s unprovoked war,” the State Department spokesperson said.

NATO Foreign Ministers met in Berlin on Sunday to discuss the possible membership application of Finland and Sweden as well as to reaffirm NATO’s support for Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion.

Addressing media via video link alongside German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Stoltenberg said that Sweden and Finland are NATO’s closest partners and if they decide to apply for membership, it would be “historic”.

“Their membership in NATO would increase our shared security, demonstrate that NATO’s door is open and that aggression does not pay,” Stoltenberg said, reiterating that all sovereign nations have the right to choose their own path.

Wrapping up the two-day meeting of Ministers, Stoltenberg said the Allies also discussed support for Ukraine, further strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence as well as the longer-term implications of “Russia’s war” against Ukraine.

ALSO READ-Blinken backs India on Russia ties

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Arab News

Iran FM: Iran is serious in Vienna talks but not trusting ‘the enemy’

Iran FM

Iran’s Chief nuclear negotiator has stressed that although the Islamic republic is serious concerning the Vienna talks, it is determined not to trust “the enemy”, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry…reports Asian Lite News

Ali Bagheri Kani, who is also Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, made the remarks on the sidelines of the 26th International Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition, titled Iran Oil Show, in Tehran on Sunday.

“Iran is serious in the process of the Vienna talks and fulfillment of its international commitments, including those pertaining to the removal of the sanctions, to the same extent that it is determined to refrain from trusting the enemy and relying on foreigners for protection from the coercive measures,” he said.

The diplomat added that “revolutionary wisdom” says that Iran must use all its diplomatic capacities to safeguard its national interests, Xinhua news agency reported.

He gave the assurance that the Iranian Foreign Ministry will use all international capacities for “neutralising the sanctions” in addition to making all-out diplomatic efforts aimed at the “maximum removal” of the US sanctions.

Bagheri Kani emphasised that the strategic policy of “neutralising the sanctions”, coupled with the smart initiative of lifting the embargoes, has foiled enemy’s plots to stop Iran’s development.

Iran has turned “the art of bypassing the sanctions” into “the knowledge of neutralising the sanctions,” he said, adding at present, other sanctioned countries seek to use the Islamic republic’s knowledge and experience.

Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the world powers in July 2015, accepting to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the sanctions on Tehran.

ALSO READ: Iran FM: Good deal accessible in nuclear talks

However, former US President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed Washington’s unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting Iran to reduce some of its nuclear commitments under the agreement in retaliation.

Since April 2021, several rounds of talks have been held in the Austrian capital between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties to revive the deal.

Iran insists on obtaining guarantees that the succeeding US governments would not drop the deal again and calls for lifting the sanctions in a verifiable manner.

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Arab News

Iran FM: Good deal accessible in nuclear talks

Iran FM Good deal accessible in nuclear talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said a “good” and “reliable” outcome is within reach in the Vienna talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal if the US makes its political decision and adheres to its commitments…reports Asian Lite News

Amir Abdollahian said that the visit of Enrique Mora, the EU chief coordinator for the Iran nuclear talks, and his talks with Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani “were another opportunity to focus on initiatives to resolve the remaining issues”, reports Xinhua news agency.

Henstressed the contacts among these sides are continuing.

Also on Friday, the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he believed there have been “enough progress” in the talks between Mora and Iranian officials in Tehran to relaunch nuclear negotiations after two months of deadlock.

In 2015, Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers including the US.

ALSO READ: Iran: EU’s nuke talks coordinator to visit Iran over Vienna talks

However, former US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran, including freezing some of Tehran’s assets abroad, prompting the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments under the agreement.

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in the Austrian capital between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties to revive the deal.

Iran insists on obtaining guarantees that the US government would not drop the deal again and the sanctions would be lifted in a verifiable manner.

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Arab News

Iran: EU’s nuke talks coordinator to visit Iran over Vienna talks

The EU coordinator for the Iran nuclear talks Enrique Mora will visit Iran on Tuesday over the Vienna talks aimed to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, semi-official agency Nour News reported…reports Asian Lite News

Nour News, affiliated with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, gives no details about Mora’s upcoming visit, Xinhua news agency reported.

In July 2015, Iran signed with the world powers a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in which Tehran agrees to curb its nuclear program in return for the removal of the international sanctions on it.

ALSO READ: Iran to continue path of diplomacy until reaching deal in Vienna talks

However, former US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran.

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in the Austrian capital between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties to revive the deal.

Iran insists on securing guarantees that the US governments will not abandon the deal again and the sanctions being lifted in a verifiable manner.

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Arab News

Iran to continue path of diplomacy until reaching deal in Vienna talks

Iran will continue the path of diplomacy until achieving a final agreement in the Vienna nuke talks, the Iranian Foreign Minister has said…reports Asian Lite News

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a phone conversation with his Irish counterpart Simon Coveney, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website.

In addition to developing and proposing political initiatives, Iran has shown that it has the necessary will to reach a “good”, “strong” and “lasting” agreement in the Vienna talks, the Iranian top diplomat was quoted as saying.

“Now, it is the American side that has to, by adopting a realistic approach, modify (former US President) Trump’s illegal behavior and takes steps in the direction of (developing) political initiatives,” he noted.

ALSO READ: Iran vows to continue nuke talks until interests protected

Coveney described Iran’s initiatives in the Vienna talks as commendable, highlighting the necessity of reaching a “good” agreement through the diplomatic process that would be capable of safeguarding the interests of Tehran as well as the other parties.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with the world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the US-led sanctions. However, Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed the sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to reduce some of its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA in retaliation.

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in the Austrian capital of Vienna between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties, including China, the UK, France, Russia and Germany, to revive the pact. The US has been indirectly involved in the negotiations as it has quitted the deal.

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US has ‘no place’ in Gulf: IRGC commander

The remarks were made by Alireza Tangsiri, naval commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), who also warned that any country seeking to jeopardise Iran’s interests…reports Asian Lite News

A top Iranian commander has said that the US has no place in the Gulf as regional countries can ensure their own security, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

The remarks were made by Alireza Tangsiri, naval commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), who also warned that any country seeking to jeopardise Iran’s interests in the Gulf will receive “a crushing and regretting response”, Xinhua news agency reported.

“Iran has repeatedly conveyed its message of peace and friendship to its southern neighbors that the region is capable of guaranteeing its security,” he said.

The IRGC Navy forces are constantly, actively and effectively present in the Strait of Hormuz and northern part of the Gulf and, in view of their full intelligence dominance, are monitoring all movements in the region, the Iranian commander noted.

ALSO READ: Iran vows to continue nuke talks until interests protected

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Arab News

Iran vows to continue nuke talks until interests protected

Iran FM Good deal accessible in nuclear talks

Iran has pledged to continue the talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal until its “national interests are completely and comprehensively protected”, official media reported…reports Asian Lite News

The remarks were made by Ali Bahadori-Jahromi, spokesman of the Iranian government, in response to talk that the US is close to admitting the failure of the Vienna nuclear talks, reports Xinhua news agency.

The nuclear negotiations are among Iran’s top priorities, Bahadori-Jahromi noted.

Iran will continue efforts within the framework of the international diplomatic mechanisms until it protects its economic interests and nuclear rights, the spokesman added.

ALSO READ: ‘Iran could develop N-weapon in weeks’

In July 2015, Iran signed with the world powers a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in which Tehran agrees to curb its nuclear program in return for the removal of the international sanctions on it.

However, former US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, prompting the latter to gradually drop some of its nuclear commitments under the agreement.

Since April 2021, several rounds of talks have been held in the Austrian capital between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties to revive the deal.

Iran insists on securing guarantees that the US government would not abandon the deal again and lifting the sanctions in a verifiable manner.

Categories
Arab News

Iran’s UN envoy warns against ‘politicising’ Syria’s chemical weapons issue

Iran has said that politicising Syria’s chemical weapons issue would jeopardize the authority of the world’s chemical weapons watchdog and hinder constructive dialogue with Syria on the issue, Iranian Press TV reported…reports Asian Lite News

Iran’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Zahra Ershadi made the remarks at a UN Security Council session on the situation of chemical weapons in Syria on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Press TV.

Iran strongly opposes the use of chemical weapons anywhere, by anyone, and under any circumstances, she said.

“We reiterate our call for the full, effective, non-political, and non-discriminatory implementation of the CWC (Chemical Weapons Convention),” Ershadi was quoted as saying.

ALSO READ: ‘Iran could develop N-weapon in weeks’

The Iranian UN envoy also called for preserving the authority of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the intergovernmental implementing body for the CWC.

“We welcome Syria’s submission of its 100th monthly report to the OPCW on March 16, regarding activities on its territory related to the destruction of its chemical weapons and their production facilities,” she said.

“It is disappointing that certain states parties have politicized the Syrian chemical weapons issue, preventing the OPCW from confirming Syria’s compliance with its obligations, which could have resulted in constructive dialogue and cooperation with Syria,” Ershadi noted.