The nuclear accord, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) ran into trouble in May 2018 when the US unilaterally withdrew from it and imposed sanctions on Iran.
Tehran and the remaining parties began talks in April 2021 to revive the JCPOA, holding several rounds of negotiations in the Austrian capital Vienna. The US participated indirectly.
The negotiations, however, have not yet led to an agreement, with Iran blaming the US over its failure to make a political decision.
The Islamic Republic says that the talks should result in a verifiable removal of the sanctions.
On Saturday evening, Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and the European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell discussed on the phone the latest developments regarding the Vienna talks.
The top Iranian diplomat said that his country has always welcomed logical and result-oriented negotiations, but other parties should stop their double-standard behaviors so that a good and lasting agreement can be achieved.
He criticized the US for acting unconstructively and hastily in pushing for the IAEA resolution that was adopted by the Board of Governors on June 8 and accused Iran of failing to fully cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog over its nuclear energy program.
Amir Abdollahian said that Iran, following the resolution, showed that it would not back down from its rights and would give a reciprocal response if the United States continued its unconstructive behavior.
He said, Iran still believes that diplomacy is the best and most suitable solution.
The top Iranian diplomat also noted that his country has never left the negotiating table and presented important initiatives in order for an agreement to be reached, but the country believes that the talks should bear results.
Borrell, on his part, said that pursuing diplomacy and avoiding unconstructive measures is the way out of the current conditions.
He admitted that Iran is determined to make a good and lasting agreement, saying that a Vienna deal is close and it is now time to rapidly resume the negotiations and make efforts to prevent an escalation of tensions.
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