Iran, US Exchanging Messages via EU in JCPOA Talks: FM

In a telephone conversation on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres talked about a range of regional and international developments, including the situation in Yemen, Afghanistan and Ukraine as well as the Vienna talks on the removal of sanctions against Iran.

Referring to the continuation of the exchange of messages between Iran and the US through the EU in the Vienna talks, Amirabdollahian blamed the US’s maximum pressure campaign for the current situation.

He also criticized the recent non-binding bill approved by the US Congress and said reaching a lasting, robust and fair agreement requires a realistic and brave decision by the US government to redress its past mistakes.

Amirabdollahian also referred to the temporary ceasefire in Yemen and said the continuation of the truce is necessary but called for the fulfillment of obligations over the ceasefire agreement and the removal of the humanitarian siege of Yemen, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.

The Iranian foreign minister further called the security and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan “very worrying” and underlined the need for the formation of an inclusive government in that country with the participation of all ethnic groups.

Amirabdollahian also referred to the Afghan refugee influx and demanded that the UN fulfill its obligations regarding the Afghan refugees.

Deploring a surge in the terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and also the problems that stem from poverty in the country, the foreign minister underscored the necessity of releasing the frozen Afghan assets.

While pointing to logical expectations from the UN, the top Iranian diplomat thanked the UN chief for his efforts to establish peace and security.

Reaffirming Iran’s opposition to the war in Ukraine and referring to Tehran’s political efforts to stay away from war and focus on a political solution and attention to the humanitarian aspects of the Ukraine crisis, Amirabdollahian said the Ukraine crisis must not prevent the attention of the international community to the humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan.

For his part, Guterres thanked Iran for its constructive efforts and stance to support the Yemen truce.

He expressed hope that with the removal of all obstacles, “we will witness the resumption of flights from the Sana’a Airport and the reestablishment of link between Yemeni provinces and also the continuation of the ceasefire.”

The UN secretary general also welcomed the continuation of talks and movement toward the normalization of diplomatic ties between Tehran and Riyadh.

The UN chief underlined the significance of the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan and also appreciated the constructive role of Iran in accepting Afghan refugees and providing them with humanitarian aid and also hosting the displaced Afghans.

In response to the Iranian foreign minister’s demand that the UN fulfill its responsibility regarding the refugees, Guterres expressed hope that the UN fund will be able to give more assistance to Iran in support of the refugees.

The UN secretary general further pointed to the importance of political initiatives in the Vienna talks over the removal of sanctions, expressing hope that the talks will continue and produce the desired results.