Iranian FM Meets US and British Counterparts in Vienna

The 17-nation ISSG convened in Vienna on Tuesday to discuss the latest developments in war-torn Syria and look for ways for a sustainable ceasefire in the Arab country.

On the sidelines of the gathering, the Iranian foreign minister had a meeting with his American counterpart to discuss the ways to effectually implement the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a lasting nuclear deal between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).

In a separate meeting, Zarif and Hammond also met to talk about Tehran-London bilateral relations and about better ways of carrying out the JCPOA, particularly in the field of international banking ties with Iran after the termination of the sanctions.

In addition to the two meetings, the top Iranian diplomat also sat down with Oman’s Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi. They held consultations on bilateral ties and regional developments.

Elsewhere in Vienna, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi and EU’s Deputy Foreign Policy Chief Helga Maria Schmid held a meeting to discuss the recent decisions made at an April meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission.

During the meeting, Schmid gave a report on the European Union’s efforts to facilitate trade with Iran under the JCPOA.

Back in March, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Americans have yet to fulfill what they were supposed to do as per the nuclear deal.

Iran still has problems in its banking transactions or in restoring its frozen assets, because Western countries and those involved in such processes are afraid of Americans, Imam Khamenei said, criticizing the US for its moves to prevent Iran from taking advantage of the sanctions removal.