Page 8 - MEOG Week 35 2021

MEOG POLICY MEOG

Nuclear talks unlikely to

resume before November

IRAN IRAN’S new foreign minister Hossein Amirab- the agreement, and then we will fulfil ours,” he
dollahian said this week that Tehran is unlikely said, answering a question about the importance
to return to negotiations to revive the 2015 Joint of the nuclear deal for the new government. “Our
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) until policy does not start with or end with a nuclear
late this year. deal,” he added.
Dealing with the newly sworn-in adminis- Raisi said: “Iran will not negotiate a nuclear
tration of Ebrahim Raisi is likely to pose differ- deal if they do not secure the country’s interests.”
ent challenges to the previous government with The incoming president added that Iran
which diplomats have said that an agreement is calling on the US to return to its obligations
was around 90% done before the talks were sus- under the JCPOA, saying that Washington had
pended in June. “violated the agreements” by withdrawing from
Amirabdollahian told state tv: “The other the deal.
side understands that it’s ultimately a two- or “The Europeans are not fulfilling their obli-
three-month process for the new government to gations. The United States must fulfil its obli-
become well-established and plan for any sort of gations, and the Europeans must not yield to
decision on this subject.” American pressure,” he added.
The new administration was confirmed on In return for restoring compliance with the
August 25, suggesting that talks will not resume JCPOA, Iran will have to return to comprehen-
until late October or November. sive and verifiable inspections of its nuclear
Speaking about the nuclear deal following development programme designed to enable a
his victory in June, Raisi said the new Iranian UN watchdog to ensure that its work remains
government will support the nuclear deal if the entirely civilian in nature, but the prize would be
other parties to the agreement fully honour their a lifting of heavy US sanctions, including on oil
commitments. exports, that would provide significant economic
“Our call is that you must fulfil your terms of respite for Tehran.™

P8 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 35 01•September•2021