Iran nuclear talks in Vienna to resume over sanctions relief

Talks between Iran and world powers have continued regarding the nuclear deal. This week, the eighth round of talks resumed, this time based on a new joint document that would include key demands by Iran.

Iran’s foreign minister said that the talks in Vienna to revive the nuclear deal would be resuming this week. The new round of discussions would be centered on a joint document outlining key demands by Iran, such as sanctions relief. Speaking with reporters in Tehran Monday, foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said that a “joint text” had been approved, including the talking points on sanctions and nuclear issues.

“We’ve set aside the June 2021 document and have agreed a new joint document and talks will begin today around that document,” said Amirabdollahian, according to the state-owned media outlet IRNA. The eighth round of discussions followed a 10-day pause after the end of the previous round of discussions back in November.

According to the Iranian foreign minister, the demands by Iran also include that the US not unilaterally abandon the agreement. Then-US President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the deal in 2018 and instead imposed sanctions. Another guarantee request was that a period to verify the lifting of sanctions would be discussed in the new round of talks.

“The important issue for us is that under these terms and issues, we will reach a point where Iran can easily, and without bounds, sell its oil and the oil money would land in Iranian bank accounts in foreign currencies and we can use all economic benefits in different sectors,” said Amirabdollahian.

The eighth round of discussions appears to have begun on a more optimistic note, despite Tehran and Washington only indirectly negotiating with each other. Tehran has refused to directly engage with Washington when the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018. Iran’s lead negotiator Ali Bagheri said there was “progress” during the seventh round of discussions and that the delegates present have a “good framework” to move the discussions forward.

Bagheri said that the negotiations will continue on Tuesday, with the Iranian delegation having previously said that it is willing to remain in Vienna until a deal acceptable to all parties is reached.