Russia: Chances to restore JCPOA increasing

“The Vienna talks have speeded up. We believe that the chances to reach a solution within the framework that had been developed during the previous rounds, including six rounds held until June 20, have increased. This is a positive thing. All parties are demonstrating readiness to solve the remaining problems,” the deputy foreign minister noted.

Ryabkov also mentioned that “various schemes were possible” for reaching the ultimate goal, the restoration of the Iranian nuclear deal in its original form.

“A step-by-step approach based on reciprocity [is likely to be used] to achieve the main goal,” the senior diplomat pointed out.

“I would like to emphasize that possible intermediate steps are not going to replace, substitute the basic agreement, which needs to be fully restored. The Russian side proceeds from this, while providing political and diplomatic assistance to Iranians, Americans and Europeans,” Ryabkov stated.

As the diplomat stated, he also sees no need for setting any deadlines for reaching a final decision on the Iranian nuclear deal.

On Friday, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said progress has been made regarding the nuclear negotiations in Vienna although time is running out.

“I remain convinced we can reach a deal. But time is running out,” Le Drian told BFM TV and RMC Radio.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price has also noted those nuclear deal talks with Iran in Vienna had shown modest progress, and that Washington hopes to build on the progress that had been made.

The eighth round of talks kicked off in Vienna in late December. The negotiations seek to restore the JCPOA in its original form and bring the US back into the agreement.

Iran insists that the talks must lead to the removal of all American sanctions that were imposed against Tehran following Washington’s unilateral withdrawal from the landmark agreement in May 2018. Tehran has also demanded credible guarantees that Washington will not abandon the deal again.