US, Iranian delegations to resume nuclear talks in Vienna

TEHRAN / WASHINGTON (AA) – Iran and the US have confirmed that they are sending delegations to Vienna to resume indirect talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal.

Rob Malley, the US’s special envoy for Iran, said he is travelling to Vienna to continue talks on the basis of EU foreign policy head Josep Borrell’s recently proposed draft agreement to restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“Our expectations are in check, but the United States welcomes EU efforts and is prepared for a good faith attempt to reach a deal,” Malley said on Twitter. “It will shortly be clear if Iran is prepared for the same.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said the fresh round of talks would be held “within the framework of the policy of lifting cruel sanctions” against his country.

The new round of talks to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal are being coordinated by the EU. The Iranian foreign minister said the talks will address new ideas and proposals presented by the parties, including Iran.

Iran is “determined” to reach an agreement that “guarantees the rights” of Iranians while calling on other parties to “seriously focus on solving the remaining issues,” added Kanaani.

The negotiations between Iran and world powers have been underway in the Austrian capital since last year, with a series of interruptions caused by key disagreements between Tehran and Washington.

Last month, the talks moved to Doha in a different format – indirect negotiations between Iran and the US mediated by the EU. The first round, however, failed to produce any substantial result.

The talks in Doha were followed by US President Joe Biden’s maiden trip to the Middle East, where he signed two anti-Iran resolutions, which drew sharp reactions from Tehran and inflamed tensions again.

In a bid to break the deadlock, Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, last week said he proposed a new draft text to Iran and the US to revitalize the accord. In response, Iran’s lead negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani on Sunday said Tehran has responded to Borrell’s new proposal and called for a swift conclusion of the talks.

“We shared our proposed ideas, both on substance and form, to pave the way for a swift conclusion of Vienna negotiations,” Bagheri said in a Twitter post.

Former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal in May 2018, and went on to pursue a campaign against Iran that included reimposing sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

In response, Iran initiated a series of measures to scale back its commitments under the deal, including ramping up its nuclear enrichment activities up to 60% purity.