'Government Delegation' Arrives in Iran After Trials... Outcome of 'Negotiations for Release of Crew and Vessel' Uncertain

Iran Government Shows Discomfort Over Delegation Visit... Uncertain Progress of Smooth Negotiations
Delegation Meets Local Counterparts "Will Meet Iranian Officials to Discuss... Demand Evidence of Environmental Violations"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] A government working delegation tasked with negotiating the early release of a South Korean-flagged vessel and its crew detained in Iran has finally departed for Iran after various difficulties and will carry out its mission on site. However, since the Iranian government showed discomfort about the visit plan itself during the process of pushing for the delegation’s trip to Iran, it remains uncertain whether negotiations with the Iranian side will proceed smoothly.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 7th, the four-member working delegation led by Ko Kyung-seok, Director General of the Africa and Middle East Bureau, departed at 00:35 on a flight bound for Doha, Qatar. They plan to arrive in Tehran, Iran via Doha and meet with counterparts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as counterparts from the humanitarian trade working group.

Before departure, Ko, the head of the working delegation, told reporters, “If it helps resolve the vessel detention issue, we plan to meet Iranian officials through various channels,” adding, “(Ahead of the visit by First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-geon on the 10th) we will also hold consultations to develop bilateral relations.”

The delegation also intends to request evidence and data related to the Iranian government’s claim of “repeated maritime environmental regulation violations” by the detained vessel. Ko explained, “We plan to request evidence and data exchange regarding the technical issues claimed by Iran,” noting that the Iranian government has yet to present concrete evidence to support its claims.

The problem lies in the attitude of the Iranian government. Said Khatibzadeh, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed discomfort in a statement the previous day, saying that the detention of the South Korean-flagged vessel is a matter proceeding through judicial procedures and that a diplomatic visit is unnecessary. Although the working delegation was urgently dispatched aiming for the early release of the detained crew and vessel, it is difficult to be optimistic about smooth negotiations with the Iranian side.

Moreover, the overall negotiation atmosphere is challenging as the Iranian government has been pressuring the new Joe Biden administration to return to the “Iran nuclear deal.” On the 6th (local time), Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urged the U.S. to return to the nuclear deal and made strong remarks demanding “compensation for past mistakes.” This statement came at a time when Iran is increasing pressure on the U.S. by detaining South Korean vessels allied with the U.S. and raising uranium enrichment levels to 20%, which is interpreted as an attempt to strengthen its negotiating position ahead of talks on returning to the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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