Iran’s FM Zarif to Visit Oman on Wednesday: Spokesman
The spokesman said the visit will be aimed at holding talks on bilateral relations and regional collaborations between Tehran and Muscat.
Oman will be the third leg of Zarif’s ongoing tour of the region, which earlier took him to Doha and Baghdad.
A Strong Iraq Can Play Constructive Role in Region: Zarif
In these meetings, which were held on Tuesday morning, the Iraqi politicians underlined the significance of deep relations between the two countries, and stressed the expansion of mutual cooperation in different fields in line with the interests of the Iranian and Iraqi people.
Foreign Minister Zarif, in turn, emphasised the stability of Iraq and the significance of maintaining its territorial integrity, and highlighted the constructive role of a strong and unified Iraq in the region.
JCPOA Joint Commission Decides to Speed Up Process of Negotiations
In the plenary meeting, the participants decided to speed up the process of negotiations, and agreed that the activities of expert groups continue in a fast and intensive way in the two domains of “removal of sanctions” and “nuclear issues”.
It was also decided that a third expert group, namely the “Expert Group on Practical Arrangements”, be formed with the aim of holding talks on the practical arrangements required for the removal of sanctions and then the US return to the JCPOA.
In the Tuesday plenary meeting held at the Grand Hotel of Vienna, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Seyyed Abbas Araqchi headed the Iranian delegation, which also included representatives from other relevant bodies including the Petroleum Ministry, the Central Bank, and the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran.
European External Action Service (EEAS) Deputy Secretary General Enrique Mora chaired this meeting, which was also attended by the representatives of Iran, Russia, China, France, Britain, Germany, and the European Union.
In this meeting, the participants discussed the verifiable removal of sanctions against Iran and the prospect of the US return to the JCPOA.
Before the plenary meeting, as usual, several bilateral and multilateral meetings were held between the delegations, and these consultations and meetings will continue.
Within the same framework, two meetings were held between Araqchi and Mora today.
Also in the morning, an important trilateral meeting was held between the chief negotiators of Iran, Russia, and China, where the three sides underlined full coordination between Tehran, Moscow, and Beijing, and the necessity of the removal of anti-Iran sanctions all at once.
Araqchi also held a joint meeting with representatives of the three European parties to the JCPOA.
Iran, Russia, China Say US Sanctions Must Be Lifted All at Once
During the meeting, which was held at the office of Iran’s permanent mission to international organisations in Vienna, the three parties reviewed the latest status of talks on the US’ possible return to the JCPOA and the removal of its sanctions against Iran.
They also called for the lifting of the sanctions all at once, describing it as a necessary condition for Washington’s return to the nuclear deal.
The Iranian, Russian, and Chinese chief negotiators further underlined the three countries’ full consensus, and the necessity of continued consultations and serious coordination on a regular and consistent basis among the three states in these negotiations.
Kurdish Iranians Pray for Rainfall in Sanandaj
This year’s prayers were said outdoors to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
Iran Elections 2021: Deputy Head of IRGC Quds Force to Run for President
Qassemi officially declared his bid for presidency on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.
The veteran military commander used to be Iran’s petroleum minister during the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from 2011 to 2013.
He was the chair of the IRGC-affiliated Khatam-al Anbiya Construction Headquarters from 2007 to 2011.
Zarif’s Leaked Audio Tape ‘Stolen’, Says Gov’t Spokesman
Government Spokesman Ali Rabiei added the TV network has always worked against the Iranian nation.
“This audio file was released by the spiteful [Iran International] television run by petro-dollars, and since the day it was established, this television [network] wanted Iranian people to suffer and be under sanctions,” he said on Tuesday.
“This shows the move to steal and selectively broadcast the interview was a plot,” added the spokesman.
“[Iranian] President [Hassan Rouhani] instructed the Intelligence Ministry to identify those behind this conspiracy,” said Rabiei.
“We believe the stealing of these documents is a plot against the government, Establishment, national unity, our efficient institutions on the ground, and our national interests,” he added.
“Of course, we will be waiting for Dr. Zarif to return to Iran and give the necessary explanation on the misinterpretations,” he noted.
Rabiei reiterated that the TV network had “selectively aired parts of a very lengthy interview with wicked intentions.”
He said the interview is, in fact, a program about the performance and achievements of, and challenges faced by the Rouhani administration recorded under the supervision of the President’s Office.
Tehran, Baghdad Stress Implementation of Previous Agreements
During the Monday talks, Zarif described Baghdad’s role in regional issues as effective and important.
He also expounded on Tehran’s viewpoint on the necessity of the existence of a security system in the region with the presence of all Persian Gulf countries which has already been proposed by Iran within the framework of the Hormuz Peace Endeavoir (HOPE).
Zarif touched upon Tehran-Baghdad agreements on different issues, and highlighted the need to make the necessary arrangements to implement those agreements without any bureaucratic barrier.
The Iraqi president, in turn, described mutual relations as important and expounded on his viewpoints with regards to the immediate implementation of the agreements reached by both sides.
Among other topics discussed in the meeting were issues related to terrorism and extremism in the region, financial issues, mutual cooperation at the regional level as well as cooperation with other countries.
Iran Urges Implementation of Iraq Legislation on Withdrawal of US Forces
During the Monday talks, the top Iranian diplomat highlighted Tehran’s emphasis on regional convergence, and welcomed Iraq’s constructive role in that regard.
Zarif said the implementation of the Iraqi parliament’s legislation on the withdrawal of foreign troops amounts to respect for Iraq’s sovereignty.
“The Americans killed Hajj Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi (al-Muhandis) on the Iraqi soil,” said Zarif.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Zarif said the upcoming elections in Iran and Iraq symbolise democracy in both countries, and wished Iraq luck in holding a calm election.
The top Iraqi parliamentarian, in turn, highlighted the Iraqi government and parliament’s role in helping shape a tranquil atmosphere in the region, and expressed hope the ground will be prepared to boost trade between Iran and Iraq.
