Iran is ready for an agreement, but that has to be fair, Raisi said. https://financialtribune.com/articles/national/115358/conditions-for-fair-nuclear-deal-outlined 30 Sept 22,
President Ebrahim Raisi said a fair agreement on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal is conditional on guarantees for the lasting removal of sanctions as well as the settlement of safeguards issues.
"We are ready for an agreement, but the agreement must be fair," he said in an address to the Iranian people on state television on Wednesday, President.ir reported.
The 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, lifted international sanctions on Tehran in return for curbs on its nuclear program, but the United States pulled out in 2018 and reimposed tough sanctions that prompted Iran to react by rowing back on its commitments.
Negotiations have been going on since April 2021 in Vienna, Austria, to work out how both sides can resume compliance.
The talks, however, are facing a stalemate with the West refusing to entertain Iran's key demands, including assurances that the sanctions will not be reimposed again under a new US government.
Given that the Americans exited the nuclear deal and Europeans failed to meet their commitments, it is essential to focus on adherence to obligations this time, Raisi said.
He stressed the need for guarantees by western countries as a prerequisite for an agreement.
Iran has also demanded the closure of investigations by the International Atomic Energy Agency over nuclear material allegedly found at undeclared sites in the country.
The IAEA has called for explanation about the origin and current whereabouts of uranium particles it claims have been found at three sites in Iran, and has so far rejected Tehran's answers as incredible.
The global watchdog's Board of Governors also passed a resolution against Iran in June on the same ground.
The Islamic Republic argues that the allegation is based on false and fabricated data and is meant to be used against the country in the future in the event that an agreement is sealed on the JCPOA.
"In the latest script the Islamic Republic has presented, it has emphasized reliable guarantees and settlement of safeguards issues to prevent repeated violation of commitments by the western side and passing of resolutions against Iran under political safeguards pretexts," Raisi said.
The president also criticized the IAEA for politicization, of which there are numerous examples, including the director general's change of tone soon after leaving Iran.
Raisi further highlighted his administration's policy of neutralizing sanctions, so that people's lives would not be dependent on the nuclear deal.
"Sanctions will not stop us and we will not tie people's lives to this agreement," he said.
He said despite sweeping sanctions, there is huge interest among all countries for cooperation with Iran.
"In all my foreign meetings, I faced other countries' welcoming of cooperation with Iran," he said, referring particularly to his meetings during a trip to Uzbekistan to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
Authorities from China, Russia and India were among the countries which emphasized the need to expand relations with Tehran, according to the president.
"Our intention is [to enhance] economic and trade ties with all countries, regardless of eastern or western."
He later highlighted Iran's admission as permanent member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as an important achievement of his government.
"By becoming a member of the SCO, Iran was linked with Asia' economic infrastructures," he said.
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