America to Raisi: If You Want Sanctions Lifted, Return to Vienna Talks
The White House spokesperson says if Ibrahim Raisi truly wants sanctions lifted, this matter is on the table at Vienna negotiations. Raisi said in his inauguration ceremony that he welcomes any plan that leads to lifting sanctions.
Ned Price, White House spokesperson, responding to Ibrahim Raisi’s statements at the inauguration ceremony, emphasized that if he truly has a firm resolve to have sanctions removed, this is exactly what is on the table at Vienna negotiations.
Raisi said on Thursday, August 5, in his speech to the Islamic Consultative Assembly that he welcomes any diplomatic plan that leads to lifting American sanctions.
Representatives of the Islamic Republic and the remaining five parties to the nuclear agreement held six rounds of negotiations to revive the JCPOA from mid-April until about a month and a half ago, and the next round of talks was postponed without a specific date being set until the formation of Iran’s thirteenth government.
For the first time since withdrawing from the nuclear agreement in February 2018, America is indirectly participating in these negotiations. The ultimate goal of Vienna negotiations is stated as America’s return to the agreement, lifting of sanctions, and Iran’s return to full implementation of JCPOA commitments.
The White House spokesperson says America’s message to Iran’s new president is the same as it was to the previous administration. He called on Iran to return to JCPOA revival negotiations as soon as possible.
Ned Price expressed hope that the Islamic Republic will seize the opportunity and resume negotiations to find a diplomatic solution to revive the nuclear agreement.
He added that the Biden administration, despite all its considerations regarding the Islamic Republic, views the nuclear agreement as an opportunity to ensure “permanent and verifiable containment of” Iran’s nuclear programs.
Limited Window to Return to Vienna Talks
The White House spokesperson, repeating previous statements by senior American officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, emphasized that Washington’s proposal to lift a large portion of sanctions in exchange for Iran’s return to its commitments is not permanent and unlimited.
Despite Ibrahim Raisi’s statements following the inauguration ceremony, his foreign policy team has not yet been formed, and Iran has not taken a specific position regarding its willingness to resume Vienna negotiations.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his last meeting with members of Hassan Rouhani’s government, attributed America’s “excessive demands” as the cause of Vienna negotiations reaching a deadlock. He described the twelfth administration’s performance in negotiations with the West and lifting of sanctions as unsuccessful.
Source: DW
