Iran: "Nuclear Deal Talks, Discussions Only Within Agreement... No Additional Negotiations Beyond Restoration"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 6th (local time), Iran announced its policy to engage in talks with the parties to the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) only within the framework of the agreement signed six years ago. This is interpreted as a refusal to accept the United States' demand for additional negotiations.

According to major foreign media, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement that a delegation consisting of Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, officials from the Central Bank, Ministry of Energy, and Atomic Energy Organization arrived in Vienna, Austria, and will begin talks from 2:30 PM.

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the most important agenda of this meeting is the lifting of economic sanctions and expert meetings and technical consultations to resolve nuclear issues. In particular, it emphasized that it will only engage in dialogue with the parties within the framework of the nuclear agreement signed in 2015 and will not hold direct or indirect talks with the United States.

In 2015, during the Barack Obama administration, Iran signed the Iran nuclear deal with six major countries including the United States, which stipulated the lifting of economic sanctions in exchange for halting its nuclear weapons development program. However, in May 2018, the Donald Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal and reinstated sanctions against Iran. In response, Iran gradually stopped adhering to the nuclear program freeze and reduction provisions promised in the deal starting from May 2019, one year later.

The Joe Biden administration has expressed its intention to return to the nuclear deal, but it has not been able to narrow differences with Iran, which demands sanctions be lifted first, stating that Iran must comply with the nuclear deal again before sanctions can be lifted. Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said at a press briefing that the talks will be difficult and he does not expect an early breakthrough.

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