Lasting Deal Requires Removal of Sanctions: Iran’s President
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – In order to reach a lasting agreement in the talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, the anti-Iranian sanctions must be lifted and the baseless accusations against Tehran should be dropped, President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi emphasized.
In a telephone conversation with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Thursday, President Raisi denounced the West's refusal to abandon its constant accusations against Iran amid the negotiations for saving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and removing the sanctions against Tehran.
The president referred to numerous official reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran’s nuclear program is completely transparent and has never deviated from the legal path, adding, "Repeated accusations and repeated allegations against the Islamic Republic of Iran during the talks indicate their (West’s) political targeting in the negotiation process."
He also noted that Iran considers the unilateral sanctions as cruel, illegal and unjust and is determined to defend its rights. "All efforts should be directed towards the full lifting of sanctions with necessary guarantees in this regard.”
"A lasting agreement requires the lifting of sanctions and the unconditional abandonment of baseless claims,” President Raisi stated, according to his official website.
He further pointed to the upcoming FIFA World Cup games in Qatar, and expressed Iran’s readiness to help the Arab country hold this important event as best as possible, especially through cultural cooperation, along with economic support, with the aim of making a constructive impact.
For his part, the emir of Qatar appreciated the support of Iran, saying, "Doha supports Tehran's position in realizing its rights and advancing the talks, especially strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation, and welcomes Iran’s initiatives for better holding of the World Cup in Qatar.”
The conversation came after the Qatari capital of Doha finished hosting two days of follow-up negotiations about the revival of the JCPOA.
The US left the JCPOA in 2018. It then returned the sanctions that the accord had lifted.
Since last year, Vienna has been hosting many rounds of talks among the JCPOA’s remaining parties to examine the prospect of the deal’s revival.