Iran: Geneva Nuclear Deal Requires Sanctions Lifted, Not Suspended
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman made it clear on Wednesday that based on the Geneva nuclear deal, signed between Tehran and six world powers last November, the sanctions imposed on Iran should be removed, not temporarily suspended.
Speaking at her weekly press conference here in Tehran, Marziyeh Afkham dismissed speculations about the mere suspension of the anti-Iran sanctions, noting that they should be completely lifted, as stipulated in the Geneva nuclear deal.
On November 24, 2013, Iran and the G5+1 signed an interim nuclear deal in the Swiss city of Geneva. Based on the interim deal, the world powers agreed to suspend some non-essential sanctions and impose no new nuclear-related bans in return for Tehran’s decision to freeze parts of its nuclear activities.
Earlier on Tuesday, the spokeswoman had rejected media reports alleging that Iran has sought partial removal of the sanctions imposed on the country over its nuclear energy program.
Elsewhere in her press conference, Afkham announced that a new round of “expert negotiations” between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) begins today.
The talks will last for two days, she explained, adding that details of the plans proposed to settle the differences between the parties will be discussed in the talks.
“Contacts between Iran and the (Group) 5+1 are in progress and coordination for the future meetings are underway,” Afkham added.
Last week, top diplomats from Iran, the US, and the EU held trilateral meetings in Vienna to iron out differences and secure an agreement between Tehran and the G5+1 (alternatively known as the P5+1 or E3+3) in a bid to put an end to the West’s 12-year-old standoff on Tehran’s nuclear case.
