AmirAbdollahian: Biden administration should show "good faith" before considering direct negotiations
The Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran says that the nuclear talks in Vienna are "close to a point of consensus," but "how sanctions and guarantees are lifted" is important.
In an interview with Lebanon's Al-Mayadeen network on Friday, April 25, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian claimed that the United States has made great efforts in recent weeks to negotiate directly on the remaining issues, adding: "If the Biden administration is serious, it must show its goodwill before considering direct negotiations."
Meanwhile, the White House National Security Advisor told the Persian service of Voice of America on Friday, referring to the negotiations to revive the JCPOA, "There are still issues remaining and things need to be done." Jake Sullivan added: "We continue to seek a diplomatic solution that will impose restrictions on Iran's nuclear program."
Continuing dialogue with Saudi Arabia
The Iranian Foreign Minister also acknowledged that "relations with Saudi Arabia are not good," claiming that the Islamic Republic is not responsible for this issue and said that Tehran has announced its readiness for a fifth round of negotiations with Riyadh.
Stating that Iran's relations with "many Arab countries" are friendly, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said: "Saudi Arabia was the first country to cut off its relations with Iran," but "we have not cut off our relations with this country."
He rejected the connection between the events in Yemen and Iran, considering it an incorrect assessment. He criticized Egypt's positions on Syria, saying that Iran can build its relations with this country on the basis of common ground.
In late March 2021, Iran "unilaterally" and "temporarily" suspended talks with Saudi Arabia, several rounds of which had been held with the mediation of the Iraqi government.
Amir Abdollahian also announced on Friday morning, in a meeting with a group of Lebanese political and cultural figures, that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to assist Lebanon in the fields of medical services, medicine, medical equipment, and other basic needs, and to provide the country with additional items and needs in the fields of technical and engineering services, industrial products, and energy.
On the other hand, Israel says that the foreign ministers of the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Bahrain will travel to Israel on Sunday and Monday next week to attend a "historic meeting" at the invitation of the country's foreign minister.
Source: Voice of America
