P4+1 Urged to Give Rational Response to Iran’s Proposal in Vienna Talks
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s top negotiator in the Vienna talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal said the remaining parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) are expected to give a reasonable and rational response to the two documents put forward by Tehran.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri spoke with reporters in Vienna on Friday evening after five days of intensive talks aimed at removing the sanctions the US has imposed on Iran after its unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA.
"It was emphasized that the proposals of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the removal of illegal and oppressive sanctions and the nuclear issue are on the table," Baqeri said.
"Since the opposite side needed to consult with their capitals to provide a documented and reasonable response to these proposals, it suggested that the talks be suspended for a few days," he added, Press TV reported.
The senior Iranian diplomat noted that a new round of negotiations between the two sides would resume in the middle of next week.
Baqeri had announced on Thursday that Iran has submitted two proposed drafts to the other parties concerning the removal of sanctions and Tehran’s nuclear commitments, and is about to put forward a third draft.
Meanwhile, senior diplomats from the three European signatories to the JCPOA have expressed disappointment and concern after reviewing Iran’s proposed changes to the text negotiated during the previous six rounds.
In a Friday statement, the E3 diplomats said, "Major changes (have been) demanded (by Iran)," adding that some were incompatible with the JCPOA. It is "unclear how these new gaps can be closed in a realistic timeframe on the basis of Iranian drafts," they added.
In a phone call with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian described the process of negotiations in Vienna “good but slow,” asserting that the West needs to focus on removing the United States’ sanctions against Iran.