Synopsis
On January 30, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced that there have been no messages exchanged with the US concerning nuclear negotiations. He emphasized ongoing talks with European nations and the need for clarity from the US on its policies before Iran can decide on potential negotiations.Key Takeaways
- No messages have been exchanged between Iran and the US about nuclear talks.
- Iran is waiting for the US to clarify its policies.
- Trust issues persist from past agreements.
- Negotiations for reviving the JCPOA have not led to significant breakthroughs.
- Practical actions are needed to build trust.
Tehran, Jan 30 (NationPress) Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated that no particular message has been exchanged between Iran and the US regarding potential nuclear discussions.
During an address to journalists after a cabinet meeting, Araghchi mentioned on Wednesday that discussions between Iran and the UK, France, and Germany are ongoing, and that Iran is awaiting the United States to clarify its policies and stance. Following that, Iran will assess them and reach a decision, as per a report from the official news agency IRNA.
"Should the country conclude that there is a possibility for negotiations on equal footing, we will make our decision accordingly," he remarked.
"The foundation and standard for us remains the same distrust that has characterized the relations between the two nations in the past," he added, noting, "We reached a prior agreement. Iran complied with the agreement, yet they were the ones who abandoned it."
Addressing that distrust is a challenging task and cannot be achieved merely through 'pleasant and appealing' words, he emphasized that practical measures and clear policies are essential to resolve this issue.
Iran entered into a nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with global powers in July 2015, agreeing to impose certain restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. However, the United States withdrew from the deal in May 2018 and reinstated sanctions on Iran, leading Tehran to reduce its commitments under the agreement, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The negotiations to revive the JCPOA commenced in April 2021 in Vienna, Austria. Despite numerous rounds of discussions, no significant progress has been made.
Iran participated in 18 months of indirect talks with the Biden administration from 2021 to 2022 to restore the US’s involvement in the JCPOA after Trump unilaterally exited the agreement in 2018, reintroducing severe sanctions on Iran. However, the Vienna discussions concluded without a deal, especially following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This conflict raised doubts about whether Tehran was genuinely pursuing an agreement or simply attempting to alleviate sanctions.
Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, mentioned on Monday that Tehran is evaluating President Donald Trump's strategies towards Iran and has formulated methods and plans to counter them.
