TEHRAN (Iran News) Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei says the term “snapback” is not mentioned anywhere in the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and was invented by Western countries to justify reimposing sanctions in case of disputes.

“The word ‘snapback’ is not in the JCPOA. It’s a term they fabricated so that in the event of a violation, the other side could activate a dispute resolution process leading to the reinstatement of previous UN resolutions,” Baqaei said on Wednesday in a meeting with students at Razavi University of Islamic Sciences in Mashhad.

He dismissed recent remarks by former US negotiator Wendy Sherman about the issue, saying, “Much of what Wendy Sherman has said regarding snapback is lies.”

“Our problem is that we accept the words of foreigners and use them to blame our own people, while the enemy’s malice and bad faith should not make us question our own performance.”

Baqaei emphasized that neither side trusted the other during the negotiations, rejecting claims that the so-called snapback mechanism was imposed on Iran.

“The other side said they did not trust Iran to fulfill its commitments, and if Iran violated them, they needed a safeguard. Our guarantee was our nuclear assets, which were in our own hands,” he explained.

Under the JCPOA, if one party believes another is not honoring its commitments, it can trigger a dispute resolution mechanism. Iran maintains that this mechanism was designed mutually and not imposed.

Baqaei added, “In the JCPOA, we fulfilled our commitments in good faith, but we faced the other side’s bad faith and noncompliance. The text of the JCPOA is clear and straightforward.”

The post The word ‘snapback’ does not exist in the JCPOA: Tehran appeared first on Iran News Daily.

TEHRAN (Iran News) The United Nations Security Council, despite the opposition of China and Russia, with nine negative votes led by the United States, Britain, and France, rejected the proposed resolution confirming Iran’s compliance with its nuclear commitments. This formally paved the way for the restoration of all UN Security Council sanctions that had been temporarily suspended under the JCPOA, and now Europe is able to activate the “Snapback” mechanism and pull the trigger of the weapon aimed at the Iranian nation.

Former President Hassan Rouhani and his team of advisers—later known as the architects of the JCPOA and the self-proclaimed heroes of diplomacy—dragged the three European countries, France, Britain, and Germany, into the Iranian nuclear file with the repetitive illusion of leaning on Europe and the fantasy of creating a rift between the European troika and the United States. They hoped they could use Britain’s goodwill toward themselves and the influence of these three countries to prevent Iran’s case from being referred to the Security Council at that time.

With the involvement of the European troika in Iran’s nuclear negotiations, two key meetings, known as the “Saadabad Summit” and the “Paris Summit,” were held.

The Saadabad Summit was convened on October 21, 2003 (29 Mehr 1382 in the Iranian calendar) as a joint meeting of the foreign ministers of the three European countries and the Iranian delegation in Tehran. According to the statement issued, Iran agreed to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for inspections of its facilities and, as a voluntary and temporary measure to verify and prove the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities, suspended the operation of its gas centrifuges.

Britain and France, in return, committed to preventing Iran’s case from being referred to the UN Security Council.

Existing documentation of the performance of Hassan Rouhani’s team at that time shows how deeply optimistic the Iranian negotiators were toward the West. They expected—contrary to all historical evidence and even their own three decades of experience in international affairs—that they could mobilize Europe to restrain the United States!

At that time, I wrote in an article: We sent children to war, Unaware of the sharp teeth of the whale.

The commitments made by the E3 at Saadabad turned out to be hollow, and Iran’s case was eventually referred to the Security Council. Excessive trust in the promises of the European countries and the IAEA, and the granting of concrete and tangible concessions by the Iranian side in exchange for vague and deferred European commitments, resulted in Saadabad being added to Iran’s list of diplomatic lessons. That summit was consigned to history as a prelude to Europe’s growing interference in Iran’s nuclear file.

Rouhani himself writes on page 599 of his book National Security and Nuclear Diplomacy:

“Europe had committed in the Tehran negotiations that as long as the Natanz facility had not resumed activity, it would prevent the referral of the nuclear file to the Security Council. However, in February 2006 (Bahman 1384), the nuclear file was referred to the Security Council while Natanz was still under suspension. Therefore, Europe had violated its commitment.”

In reality, the European troika, which since World War II had never defied the United States in any major global issue and was unable to take any significant action without U.S. approval, could never have been a mediator—let alone a savior—of Iran’s nuclear case!

Europe, which did not even have sufficient standing in the eyes of the United States to participate in the recent Muscat negotiations, was, through the actions of Hassan Rouhani and his advisers, granted the authority to interfere in Iran’s nuclear affairs and became the legal inheritor of the snapback mechanism for reinstating the sanctions of Resolution 1929 against Iran.

It is astonishing that Rouhani’s foreign minister and chief negotiator in the JCPOA went even further, expanding the role of the Europeans and even becoming a partner in the West’s plan to undermine the veto power of China and Russia.

The Saadabad Agreement was the first chapter in the turbulent history of Europe’s involvement in Iran’s nuclear negotiations—a book that now seems to be reaching its end with the impending activation of the snapback mechanism.

Excessive optimism and the assumption of these countries’ independence in decision-making caused heavy losses for the Iranian people over these months.

Hassan Rouhani must hold himself more than anyone else accountable for elevating Europe’s status and granting decision-making weight to the European troika—nations that are subservient and dependent on the United States. By now, he should have realized that Britain’s goodwill toward his team did nothing to solve the country’s problems.

The post The E3’s Entry into the JCPOA: A Strategic Mistake appeared first on Iran News Daily.

TEHRAN (Iran News) Amir Saeid Iravani issued the warning while delivering a statement before the Security Council during a session to discuss the JCPOA and Resolution 2231 based on a report from UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres on Tuesday local time.

Iran strongly rejects any threat related to the use of the so-called “snapback” mechanism by the European troika, Iravani said, referring to Britain, France and Germany, the three country together also called E3 and have been active on anti-Iran rhetoric and resolution at the UN and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under different pretexts.

Let us be clear once and for all: the so-called “snapback” mechanism (trigger mechanism) is not a tool in your hands that you can abuse to threaten Iran, the Iranian envoy stressed, adding that as the Iranian president has stated in a letter to the European troika back in 2019, any such move will create a major crisis that will not benefit either party.

The Iranian diplomat emphasized that Iran remains committed to cooperate with the IAEA in accordance with its obligations despite the baseless accusations and the pursuit of a politically motivated resolution by the European Troika and the United States, a reference to a recent resolution pushed by to Britain, France and Germany at the IAEA Board of Governors soon after “a constructive and successful visit” of the IAEA Director General to Tehran in November.

The following is the full text of Iravani’s statement before the Security Council:

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

I thank USG, Ms. Di-Carlo for her briefing.

Since this is Malta’s final report as co-facilitator of Resolution 2231, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Ambassador Frazier and her team for their dedicated efforts over the past two years.

Iran takes note of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2024/896). In the report, the Secretary-General urged all participants in JCPOA, as well as the United States, to remain steadfast in their commitment to a diplomatic solution aimed at restoring the agreement’s original objectives. He also called on all parties to prioritize multilateralism and diplomacy, the very principles that enabled the agreement’s adoption in 2015. Iran reaffirms its steadfast commitment to this call and the pursuit of these shared principles.

We listened carefully to the statement delivered by the representative of the EU. However, despite the EU’s role as the JCPOA coordinator, which should be impartial, the statement regrettably remained politicized, biased, and one-sided.

The unfounded accusations made against Iran today by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany cannot distort the facts on the ground nor serve to obscure or justify their own failures in fulfilling their commitments under the JCPOA and Resolution 2231.

The root cause of the current situation is undeniable: the United States unilaterally withdrew from the agreement, abandoned its obligations, and reinstated all lifted sanctions, while the E3 failed to honor their commitments under the deal.

Time and again, Iran has made it clear that its remedial actions were fully consistent with its rights under paragraphs 26 and 36 of the JCPOA, in response to the unilateral withdrawal by the United States and the non-compliance of E3 with their obligations and to restore the balance of commitments.

Therefore, allegations regarding Iran’s non-compliance are not only factually incorrect but also rely on arbitrary and misleading interpretations of the JCPOA. These allegations aimed only to deflect attention from the E3’s ongoing breaches, such as their refusal to implement their commitments on Transition Day, the reimposition of lifted sanctions, and their introduction of new unlawful restrictive measures all in flagrant violation of the JCPOA, and Resolution 2231.

Dear colleagues,

Iran’s nuclear program is and has always been, exclusively peaceful, operating under the most rigorous monitoring regime in the IAEA’s history. Claims that Iran seeks nuclear weapons are baseless and provocative. Iran remains steadfast in its commitment to the NPT and its inalienable right to peaceful nuclear energy and will never compromise its legitimate rights under the Treaty.

Despite unfounded accusations and the pursuit of a politically motivated resolution by the E3 and the United States, Iran is committed to continuing cooperation with the IAEA according to its obligations. Censure’s resolution against Iran in the recent Board of Governors (BoG) meeting despite a constructive and successful visit of the IAEA Director General to Tehran in November, demonstrates that the E3 and the U.S. have politicized agenda to undermine diplomacy, trust, and the very principles necessary for constructive engagement.

Iran categorically rejects any threats of invoking the so-called “snapback,” by E3 an action that would be both unlawful and counterproductive.

Let’s make it clear once and for all: the so-called “Snapback” is not a tool in your hand to be abused for threatening Iran. Iran has made it very clear that such a provocative move will be reciprocated by a firm and proportionate response. This position was explicitly conveyed by Iran’s then-President in a letter to the E3 leaders on 8 May 2019. Triggering the so-called snapback to “reapplication of the provisions of terminated resolutions” will create a major crisis that does not serve the interests of any side.

Iran has consistently acted in good faith to uphold the environment for the revival of the JCPOA, even after the United States’ withdrawal and E3’s persistence of violating their commitments.

Iran engaged in the Vienna talks in good faith, showing utmost flexibility to achieve a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement. Unfortunately, the unrealistic demands of the E3 and the United States, their lack of political will, domestic political considerations, and attempts to tie the negotiations to unrelated issues ultimately failed the efforts to revive the deal. Blaming Iran for the failure to conclude the negotiations is both unjust and factually incorrect.

Iran also rejects attempts to link Iran’s JCPOA commitments to unrelated regional or geopolitical issues. Claims regarding Iran’s alleged arms transfers to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict are entirely unfounded and politically motivated. Likewise, accusations against Iran’s missile program, which falls outside the scope of Resolution 2231, are irrelevant and baseless.

Instead of diverting attention to fabricated threats, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, as permanent members of the Security Council must allow this Council to live up to its responsibility and address and confront the genuine sources of insecurity and instability in our region: the Israeli regime’s illicit nuclear weapons arsenal, its decades of aggression and occupation, and its ongoing campaign of systematic war crimes, crimes against humanity and acts of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. Further, Israel’s relentless aggression and atrocious crimes against Syria and Lebanon underscore its role as the primary driver of violence and instability in the region.

Equally destabilizing is the complicity of the United States, whose unwavering military, financial, and political support enabled Israel’s atrocities in the region. This blatant hypocrisy not only emboldens Israel’s crimes but also gravely undermines regional peace, international law, and the very principles this Council is duty-bound to uphold.

Dear colleagues,

Iran remains steadfast in its commitment to diplomacy and dialogue as the only viable path forward. In a spirit of constructive engagement, Iran’s delegation held substantive rounds of discussions with the E3 and EU delegations in New York, on the sideline of the 79th session of the UNGA, and again on 28 and 29 November in Geneva. These talks aimed to exchange views on the current situation and explore the prospects for resuming nuclear negotiations. Iran has shown its seriousness and sincerity in these talks and expects its counterparts to do the same. It was agreed in Geneva to continue engagement in the upcoming weeks to create a conducive environment for meaningful negotiations.

Distinguished members of the Council,

Meaningful diplomacy requires mutual respect, reciprocity, and an unwavering commitment to international law.

The E3 and the U.S. must abandon confrontational approaches and demonstrate a true commitment to diplomacy.

The path forward lies in responsible and constructive engagement, not in threats, coercion, and pressure. Past experience has shown that threats and pressure are ineffective against Iran and only undermine trust and complicate future efforts.

We firmly believe that the JCPOA remains a robust and effective framework for resolving unnecessary and fabricated crises about Iran’s peaceful nuclear program. Iran is ready to engage meaningfully, provided others show genuine political will and adhere to international law.

Thank you.

The post Iran warns E3 against misusing JCPOA trigger mechanism appeared first on Iran News Daily.

TEHRAN (Iran News) Regarding the nuclear issue, Larijani said in a post on X on Saturday that the United States withdrew from the JCPOA, thus causing damage to Iran.

He added that Iran started increasing its production of 60% enriched uranium, noting that the two sides are now in a new situation.

Larijani remarked that if the new US officials claim they are only against Iran’s nuclear weapons, they should accept Iran’s conditions in exchange for this and agree to the necessary points, including compensation, to reach a new deal.

The post ‘US should compensate for its withdrawal from JCPOA’ appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The post Iran Reducing Commitments to JCPOA: Nuclear Chief appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The lawmaker, Vahid Jalalzadeh, chairman of the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said Iran is not conducting any talks with the U.S. over the tattered nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“We do not trust the Americans. According to the instructions of the Supreme National Security Council, we have negotiated within the framework of the release of financial resources and the exchange of prisoners,” he said in an interview with Al Alam, according to the IRIB NEWS.

He said that the talks over the unfreezing of Iran’s funds and the release of American prisoners had nothing to do with the nuclear program.

He also said that former U.S. special envoy for Iran Rob Malley suddenly quit the talks with the Islamic Republic nearly two years ago when the two sides were negotiating a return to the JCPOA. This disrupted cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), according to Jalalzadeh.

The lawmaker also addressed a variety of regional issues.

Commenting on the re-establishment of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Jalalzadeh said, “Establishing relations with neighboring countries, especially Muslim countries, has been one of the policies of the Islamic Republic after the Revolution. Iran and Saudi Arabia are among the countries that influence the behavior of the countries in the region. The events in Yemen and Iraq and the emergence of ISIS in the region caused the cut-off of our relations. Iran and Saudi Arabia were interested in repairing and rebuilding these relations, which happened and was very much noticed by Muslim and even non-Muslim countries. Everyone was waiting for the fruits of this relationship at the regional level.”

He added, “We had relations with Saudi Arabia at different levels before the severing of relations (in 2016). We had good relations in the economic and security fields. Due to the events that happened in the region and the world in the last few years, Iran and Saudi Arabia came to the conclusion that they should rebuild these relations.”

The lawmaker noted, “The Iranian Chamber of Commerce has also announced its readiness to be present in Saudi Arabia. Saudi businessmen have the same situation and Iran’s investment market in the region is second to none and is exemplary. We will definitely have security talks.”

He also addressed the importance of Iran-Syria relations. “The Supreme Leader has described Iran-Syria relations as vital. The situation in Syria is special and parts of it are in the hands of foreigners. Turkey has occupied a part and America has occupied another part of Syria. The rich areas are in the hands of Türkiye and Americans. The Islamic Republic of Iran is against the occupation of Syria by Türkiye and America.”

Jalalzadeh also pointed to the crisis in Lebanon, saying that “our relations with Saudi Arabia have had a positive impact on the political conditions of Lebanon.”

Referring to the recent trip by the members of the parliamentary committee to Syria and Lebanon, Jalalzadeh said, “We followed up on the agreements reached between Iranian and Syrian authorities during Mr. Raisi’s trip to Syria a few months ago. We will follow up on the removal of existing obstacles to the implementation of agreements. Caesar’s sanctions have made the situation difficult for the Syrian people. The issue of electricity and fuel is very important for Syria. The sanctions on Syria have been imposed so that what they could not do against Syria in the terrorist war, they can achieve in the economic war.”

The post No JCPOA talks with U.S.: MP appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, he underlined, “We would never hold talks with the U.S. on the basis of trust. The JCPOA was not the result of our trust in the U.S. either.”

Asked about the leaked audiotape by the Tehran Times revealing that the former U.S. envoy for Iran, Rob Malley, sought to revive the 2015 nuclear deal only to increase pressure on Tehran over other issues, Kanaani said, “What that person has said comes within the purview of the U.S. government which has to make things clear. However, Iran is pursuing negotiations on the removal of sanctions on the basis of its national interests and in order to restore Iran’s rights.”

He added, “Iran’s red lines are its national interests. We are prepared to pursue and conclude the talks.”

Kanaani stated that Iran practices diplomacy in accordance with its national interests and the provisions of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). “We are making efforts to have the cruel sanctions lifted and make all parties, including the U.S., return to the JCPOA responsibly.”

Under the JCPOA signed in July 2015, Iran agreed to put limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for termination of financial and economic sanctions. However, the Trump administration quit the deal in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that confirmed the agreement.

“The JCPOA could be continued whenever the other side is prepared and we make sure of the other party’s commitment. As the only party that has behaved responsibly, we are prepared to proceed with the negotiations to fulfill the country’s national interests,” the spokesperson added.

Iran calls on South Korea to act wisely, unfreeze assets

Given the frozen assets in South Korea, Kanaani said that Iran has asked South Korea to act wisely and unfreeze Iranian funds worth billions of dollars that have been held in South Korean institutions as a result of U.S. sanctions.

He also noted that Tehran and Seoul are in constant communication to restore the rights of the Iranian people, but expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the negotiations.

“We expect the Korean government to behave carefully and intelligently in promptly releasing Iran’s assets,” Kanaani pointed out.

In order to strengthen the bonds between the two nations and rekindle their economic and commercial connections, he also urged Seoul to play its part.

In other parts of his remarks, Kanaani stated that Iran will use both the legal system and diplomatic channels to recover the funds, noting that the President Ebrahim Raisi administration recently sent a bill to the parliament requesting that the dispute should be submitted to arbitration in order to begin the legal process of the case.

Iran seeking joint exploitation of Arash gas field

He also said that Tehran is advocating for the joint exploitation of the Arash gas field that is shared with its southwestern neighbors.

He said that Iran has signaled its interest in holding discussions with Kuwait on the development and exploration of the gas field.

Reiterating Iran’s support for the “friendly settlement” of border and maritime issues with the neighbors, the spokesman said, “We have always taken the course of negotiations and understanding in connection with the exploitation of the joint oil and gas fields.”

“UN ability to promote peace in Iraq”

Regarding the trip to Tehran by Jenin Hennis-Plasschaert, the Special Representative for the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, Kanaani also said it is only natural that the Iranian government welcomes the role of the United Nations in fostering peace, stability, and security in the neighboring country in line with Iraq’s interests.

The spokesperson continued by saying that several measures were considered as part of increasing aid with the goal of bolstering the neighboring state’s popular government, economic development, peace, stability, and security.

“One of the subjects of discussion between the UN special envoy and the Iranian authorities was how to use the capabilities of the United Nations to strengthen peace, stability, and security in the West Asia region,” he stated.

Taliban encouraged to carry out obligations

The spokesman also mentioned the Helmand River water rights issue and the ministry’s subsequent actions in this respect.

Based on the 1973 treaty, Afghanistan is legally obligated to allocate 820 million cubic meters of water from the Helmand River to Iran.

“Concessions to Zionists will not benefit Palestinians”

Kanaani also said that the U.S. has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to backing the occupation regime of Israel.

Within the framework of this policy, the U.S. has made numerous attempts and has normalized political relations between the Zionist regime and a number of countries in the region, he added.

FM to discuss security and economic issues in Pakistan visit

In response to a question regarding Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian’s imminent visit to Pakistan, Kanaani said the trip is being scheduled based on the official invitation of the Pakistani foreign minister.

“We have various issues to discuss with the Pakistani side. In addition to political issues and common security issues, we will also discuss the issue of fighting terrorism,” he added.

Kanaani noted, “A high-ranking economic delegation from Iran is also going to accompany the foreign minister on this trip so that economic issues can be discussed as well.”

Details of Raisi participation in BRICS summit to be announced soon

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that President Raisi has been asked to participate in the forthcoming summit of BRICS leaders, and that the details of this trip would be disclosed soon.

Iran is aspiring to join BRICS, an economic bloc that includes the five economically emerging countries of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

“Iran’s economic capacities will help us develop complementary cooperation in line with the goals of this organization when it becomes a BRICS member, and as you know, BRICS has economic goals that can bring mutual benefits to both sides with Iran’s membership,” Kanaani underlined.

South Africa will host the 15th BRICS summit in the financial hub Johannesburg from August 22 to 24.

The post No trust in U.S. for JCPOA revival talks: Foreign Ministry appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The phone conversation was held on Monday, according to a statement by the Qatari foreign ministry.

The statement said the two sides discussed many issues but they specially exchanged views on the nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“The call dealt with discussing bilateral cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries, and a number of regional and international issues of joint interest, especially the Iranian nuclear agreement, the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and ways to resolve it peacefully, in addition to developments in Lebanon and Afghanistan and the need for continued humanitarian support for the Afghan people,” the Qatari statement said.

Sheikh Abdulrahman also spoke with Chairman of U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Senator Bob Mendez. But it’s not clear if they discussed issues related to Iran. “The call dealt with discussing bilateral relations between the two countries and the means to enhance them, in addition to discussing a number of subjects of joint interest,” a separate Qatari foreign ministry statement said of the call.

The Qatari phone call with Sullivan came while Oman’s foreign minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi was in Tehran also discussing a number of issues including the situation around lifting U.S. sanctions on Iran.

Oman and Qatar have been deeply involved in mediatory roles in recent years in relation to tensions between Iran and the West. Oman hosted the secret talks that led to the 2015 nuclear deal and Qatar also hosted recently an indirect round of Iran-U.S. talks, which was the last major attempt at reviving the tattered deal.

The post Qatar PM, U.S. national security advisor discuss JCPOA appeared first on Iran News Daily.

Lavrov considered it unrealistic to wait for a new agreement on reviving the nuclear deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a year before the presidential elections in the United States.

“It seems to me that it is not realistic to wait for this (the resumption of the JCPOA) now, because in a year there will be elections in the United States, and a new administration will come,” he said, according to RT Arabic.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of a Russia-ASEAN meeting in Jakarta.

“Who knows what kind of administration it will be, Democrat or Republican? But there are no guarantees that this new administration will not repeat the trick of pulling out of the agreement reached,” Lavrov continued.

The Russian foreign minister pointed out that there are unofficial and unannounced contacts between Washington and Tehran on a number of bilateral files, but they have nothing to do with the nuclear agreement. He added that Russia welcomes such contacts aimed at easing tensions between Iran and the U.S.

Talks over reviving the JCPOA kicked off in April 2021 but failed to result in a deal over the JCPOA. Several rounds of talks were held with no concrete results. And in recent months, the talks have been held in abeyance, with the U.S. envoy for Iran, Rob Malley, facing domestic criticisms over mishandling the Iran talks. Malley’s security clearances have also been suspended pending an investigation by the FBI.

Meanwhile, there are press reports that Iran and the U.S. have reached unwritten understandings aimed at de-escalating tensions and resolving some minor issues.

The post Lavrov downbeat about JCPOA revival appeared first on Iran News Daily.

“For the EU, JCPOA is the best possible, if not the only, framework to address the legitimate non-proliferation concerns of the international community on the Iranian nuclear program,” Mora tweeted on Wednesday after talks in Doha, Qatar, with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani, who acts as Tehran’s chief nuclear negotiator with the West.

Mora said he and Bagheri Kani held talks on Tuesday and Wednesday on series of difficult issues, including the JCPOA.

“Intense talks yesterday and today with Vice Minister Bagheri Kani in Doha on a range of difficult bilateral, regional and international issues, including the way forward on the JCPOA,” Mora added.

Mora also praised the resumption of ties between Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

For his part, Bagheri Kani called talks with Mora as “constructive”, saying they held talks on series of issues including ways to remove sanctions on Iran.

“Had a serious and constructive meeting with Enrique Mora in Doha. We exchanged views and discussed a range of issues including negotiations on sanctions lifting,” Kani tweeted on Wednesday.

The nuclear talks between Iran and the West (the European Union and the U.S.) to revive the JCPOA came to a standstill as the protests erupted in Iran in September last year.

During the talks Iran kept insisting that the U.S. should provide assurances that it will not renege on its commitments to quit the JCPOA again if it is revived.

Former U.S. president Donald Trump unilaterally pulled out the JCPOA in May 2018 and introduced sanctions in line with his policy of “maximum pressure” policy against Iran.

Trump abandoned the deal despite the fact that it is has been endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

Based on the JCPOA, Iran was tasked to put limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for termination of economic and financial sanction.

The post EU’s Mora calls JCPOA the best option appeared first on Iran News Daily.