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Iran FM says agreement in Vienna nuke talks ‘close’

Iran's Foreign Minister

The Iranian Foreign Minister has said the talks in Vienna on the restoration of the 2015 nuclear deal are close to an agreement, noting that Tehran has put forward its proposals and now the ball is in the US court…reports Asian Lite News

Making the remarks in a phone conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday, Hossein Amir Abdollahian addedd that Iran has submitted its proposals concerning the remaining unresolved issues to the US through Enrique Mora, the European Union (EU) Coordinator for the Iran nuclear talks, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s website.

Guterres described the nuclear talks held so far in the Austrian capital of Vienna as important, expressing hope that the sides would reach an agreement as soon as possible, Xinhua news agency reported.

ALSO READ: Malley not confident of Iran N-deal  

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with the world powers in July 2015. However, former President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed Washington’s unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the Islamic Republic to reduce some of its nuclear commitments under the agreement in retaliation.

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in Vienna between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties, namely China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany, to revive the deal.

Over the past weeks, reports from Vienna suggested that the negotiators were “close” to an agreement with few key issues remaining which required “political decisions” of the parties.

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Iran’s economic benefits must be ensured in Vienna nuke talks: Spokesman

Iran’s economic benefits have been the focal point in the indirect talks between Tehran and Washington for the past months in the Austrian capital Vienna, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh…reports Asian Lite News

“The nature of the fundamental discussions between us and the US is that the economic benefits for the Iranian people must be observed,” Xinhua news agency quoted Khatibzadeh as saying.

The sanctions prevented Iran from enjoying the economic advantages of the 2015 nuclear pact, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), said Khatibzadeh, adding that the entire chain of sanctions on Iran must be terminated as a result of the negotiations in Vienna, he said.

Iran does not accept the so-called “red lines” in the anti-Iran sanctions imposed by the US, he added.

On March 11, Josep Borrell, EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, announced a pause in the negotiations, saying that “a pause in Vienna talks is needed, due to external factors”.

Iran signed the nuclear deal with the world powers in July 2015.

ALSO READ: Borrell: Pause needed in Iran nuke talks

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

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in Vienna between Iran and major parties to the JCPOA, namely Russia, China, France, the UK and Germany, in a bid to revive the deal.

The US has been indirectly involved in the talks.

Over the past days, reports from Vienna suggested that the negotiators were “close” to an agreement with few key issues remaining which required “political decisions” of the parties.

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UAE committed to OPEC+ pact

UAE committed to OPEC+ pact

The UAE on Thursday affirmed its commitment to the OPEC+ agreement…reports Asian Lite News

”The UAE remains committed to the OPEC+ agreement and its existing monthly production adjustment mechanism,” affirmed Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, in a statement to Emirates News Agency (WAM).

”The UAE believes in the value the OPEC+ agreement brings to the world oil market as there is no other agreement to raise output individually than this agreement in light of the UAE’s continuous support for and compliance with the said agreement,” he said.

The Vienna-based OPEC has earlier treasured the tremendous efforts being made by the UAE over the past period to maintain consensus among the members of the organisation towards all issues regarding the global oil market and the support it provides to maintain its balance and stability in a manner that takes into account the interests of producers and consumers alike.

Meanwhile, oil prices rose on Thursday amid confusion over whether major producers would help to plug a gap in supplies from Russia, BBC reported.

The oil price rose more than 5 pert cent, after a 17 per cent fall on Wednesday.


“To suggest the oil market is confused would be an understatement,” said analyst Stephen Innes.

US President Joe Biden and other leaders have pledged to try to ease the price pressures for households. Officials from the US have been in talks with oil producers aimed at boosting supply.

ALSO READ: UAE, Saudi decline to take calls from White House on oil prices

“We favour production increases and will be encouraging Opec to consider higher production levels,” Ambassador Yousuf Al Otaiba said in a statement tweeted by the UAE Embassy in Washington, BBC reported.

But Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said later that the Gulf state remained committed to the existing Opec monthly output agreement, which fixes how much crude is produced by member countries.

Oil prices have jumped more than 30 per cent since February 24, when Russia launched military attack against Ukraine, touching $139 a barrel at one point this week.

The oil price had fallen back to about $106 a barrel at one point on Wednesday, but by Thursday morning it was trading at around $116 per barrel.

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Political decisions needed for ending Vienna talks on Iran nuclear deal: EU coordinator

Political decisions needed for ending Vienna talks on Iran nuclear deal: EU coordinator

Political decisions need to be made to end the Vienna talks on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, Enrique Mora, deputy secretary-general of the European External Action Service, has said…reports Asian Lite News

“It is time, in the next few days, for political decisions to end the Vienna talks. The rest is noise,” Mora said on Twitter.

Mora is acting as the European Union’s coordinator in the negotiations in Vienna. His comments came as Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in Tehran on Monday that few differences remain between Iran and the West, Xinhua news agency reported.

“If the US approach is reasonable, the quick agreement is available,” Khatibzadeh said. However, he emphasised that Iran will never accept or adhere to a deadline for negotiations.

“There are no longer ‘expert level talks’. Nor ‘formal meetings’,” Mora said, refuting reports of further such meetings.

ALSO READ: Iranian lawmaker says agreement’s draft ready, few differences remaining in Vienna talks

In 2015, Iran signed the landmark nuclear accord, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: China, France, Russia, the UK and the US, plus Germany) and the EU.

However, former US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled Washington out of the pact in May 2018 and re-imposed sanctions on Iran. This prompted Iran to drop some of its nuclear commitments and advance its previously halted nuclear programs.

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

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Iranian lawmaker says agreement’s draft ready, few differences remaining in Vienna talks

A member of the Iranian parliament said on Sunday although Tehran and other sides to the 2015 nuclear deal have prepared the main draft of a possible agreement, they still have differences on a few unresolved issues in the Vienna talks…reports Asian Lite News

Abolfazl Amouei, a member of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said that Tehran will only sign an agreement if these issues are solved, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Tasnim news agency.

The first issue is pertinent to the measures the US is needed to take in a bid to regain its former status as a party to the nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the lawmaker said.

To that end, lifting the sanctions on Iran and providing it with the opportunity of having international interactions and cooperation are Tehran’s fundamental requests based on the JCPOA, he added.

Amouei noted that concerns about the US fulfillment of its commitments are currently beyond worries voiced by Iran, and have become an international issue.

ALSO READ: Iran says not to wait ‘forever’ for nuke deal if US fails to make decision

“Different countries are worried if the United States would fulfill its commitments under the JCPOA if the deal is restored,” he said.

Iran and the remaining parties to the JCPOA are currently involved in negotiations in Vienna seeking to settle disputes on the revival of the nuclear pact.

Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers in July 2015. However, former US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the accord in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, which prompted the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments one year later and advance its halted nuclear program.

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Iran vows not to compromise over redlines in Vienna nuke talks: FM

Iran's Foreign Minister

Iran will not compromise on its red lines in the Vienna talks aimed at resolving the issues over the removal of US anti-Iran sanctions and revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, said Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian…reports Asian Lite News

During a phone conversation with the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell on Saturday, Abdollahian stressed that Iran’s definite choice in the nuclear talks is “not to cross its redlines,” Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.

Praising Borrell’s efforts in the matter, the Iranian Foreign Minister reiterated his country’s resolve for a good agreement within the framework of its national interests, with the P4+1 group, including Britain, China, France, Russia plus Germany, saying it needs the other side’s political decisions to make a deal possible.

The remaining issues can be resolved and a final agreement can be reached “if a realistic approach is taken by the West,” he said.

For his part, Borrell acknowledged efforts by all parties to the negotiations, stressing that the Vienna talks have reached a critical stage and require serious decisions by all sides, Xinhua news agency reported.

ALSO READ: Iran’s Chief negotiator to return to Vienna to maintain nuke talks: Report

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015. However, former US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, which prompted the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments in 2019 and advance its halted nuclear programs.

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

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Iran’s Chief negotiator to return to Vienna to maintain nuke talks: Report

Iran FM

Iran’s Chief Nuclear Negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani will return to Austrian capital Vienna to continue talks aimed to resolve the remaining issues…reports Asian Lite News

Bagheri Kani was back to Vienna on Sunday evening “with a specific agenda to follow the negotiations aimed at resolving (remaining) problems in a run for an agreement,” the report said on Sunday.

In its latest meeting, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council reviewed the process and results of negotiations in Vienna, and stressed the need to fulfill the legal and logical demands of Iran within the red lines of the Islamic republic, according to the report.

On Saturday evening, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian wrote on his Twitter account that Iranian officials are “seriously reviewing draft of the agreement”.

“Our red lines are made clear to western parties. Ready to immediately conclude a good deal, should they show real will,” he said.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, Xinhua news agency reported.

ALSO READ: Agreement in Vienna requires West’s ‘courageous’ political decision: Iran’s FM

However, former US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, which prompted the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments in 2019 and advance its halted nuclear programs.

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in Austria’s capital Vienna between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties, namely Britain, China, France, Russia plus Germany, with the US indirectly involved in the talks, to revive the landmark deal.

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Agreement in Vienna requires West’s ‘courageous’ political decision: Iran’s FM

Agreement in Vienna requires West's 'courageous' political decision: Iran's FM

The Iranian Foreign Minister has said an agreement in the ongoing talks in Vienna on the restoration of the 2015 nuclear deal needs the Western sides to take a “courageous and realistic” political decision to guarantee Tehran’s interests…reports Asian Lite News

Hossein Amir Abdollahian on Thursday made the remarks in a phone conversation with his British counterpart Liz Truss, noting that for a swift and sustainable agreement, the US and E3 group of France, Britain and Germany have to remove the sanctions on Tehran, according to the Foreign Ministry’s website.

In regard to his meetings with European Union Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell and German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock on the sidelines of the 58th Munich Security Conference, he said, the talks have made good process and the negotiating teams in Vienna are making hard efforts to reach a good agreement, Xinhua news agency reported.

ALSO READ: Iran: ‘a few but important’ issues remain in Vienna nuke talks

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the world powers in July 2015. However, former President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed Washington’s unilateral sanctions on Tehran.

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

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Iran: ‘a few but important’ issues remain in Vienna nuke talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has said “a few but important” issues remain in Vienna nuclear talks to be solved, official news agency IRNA reported…reports Asian Lite News

The Vienna talks have reached a critical stage, and “still a few but very important issues remain in our talks” aimed at removing US sanctions and restoring the 2015 nuclear deal, said Abdollahian on Wednesday in a joint press conference with his visiting Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi.

Iran has “made it clear to the West and Josep Borrell, EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, that we would not cross Iran’s red lines in the Vienna talks,” he added.

The Iranian Foreign Minister revealed that many messages have been received from the US about direct talks, but Iran wonders the benefit of direct dialogue and whether there would be a difference from what happened in the past, Xinhua news agency reported.

ALSO READ: Vienna talks: Iran says deal ‘closer than ever’

“So far, we have heard mostly positive messages from the Americans, but still no practical action has been taken to prove their good will,” he said.

“We are optimistic about the Vienna talks and hope that the few critical issues that remain in the negotiations will be resolved in the coming days with realism from the West,” Abdollahian added.

Former US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran, which prompted the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments in 2019 and advance its halted nuclear program.

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in the Austrian capital between Iran and the remaining parties, namely Britain, China, France, Russia plus Germany, with the US indirectly involved in the talks, to remove anti-Iran sanctions and revive the landmark deal.

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Bennett: New nuke deal is weaker than previous one

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.(Photo twitter.comnaftalibennett)

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that Iran may soon sign a new nuclear agreement with world powers but the new deal is “weaker” than the previous one…reports Asian Lite News

Referring to the negotiations in Vienna between Iran and world powers, Bennett told his weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday that “the talks are advancing quickly… We may see an agreement shortly”, reports Xinhua news agency.

But “the new apparent agreement is shorter and weaker than the previous one,” he said.

The Israeli leader warned that the lift of sanctions against Iran will provide the country with more money to build weapons.

Israel is prepared to protect its citizens’ security, on its own, in any scenario, the Prime Minister noted.

While addressing the Munich Security Conference on Sunday, Defence Minister Benny Gantz urged the international community to use the emerging deal to tighten the oversight over Iran’s nuclear program.

ALSO READ: Naftali hosts trilateral meeting with Greek, Cypriot leaders

“Action must be taken to ensure that Iran does not continue enrichment in additional facilities, and oversight must be increased,” he told the conference.

Israel has been a staunch opponent of the 2015 Iranian nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which offered Tehran sanction relief in return for restrictions and oversight over its nuclear programme.

Former US President Donald Trump pulled out of the JCPOA in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran, which prompted the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments one year later and advance its halted nuclear program.

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in Vienna between Iran and the remaining parties, namely the UK, China, France, Russia plus Germany, with the US indirectly involved in the talks, to revive the landmark deal.