News / Reports

Araqchi: US ready to lift big portion of sanctions

Friday, 07 May 2021 10:36 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 07 May 2021 10:34 PM ]

Sorry, the video player failed to load.(Error Code: 100013)

Homa Lezgee

Press TV, Vienna

The remaining signatories of the Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) meet again in Vienna after a week-long break.

Iranian lead delegate Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says all sides are serious in their attempts to find a solution and revive the agreement.

A major sticking point has been the list of sanctions that need to be removed by the US, which withdrew from the deal under the Trump administration in 2018.

Araqchi says there are still serious differences that need to be negotiated. Iran has made it clear it will only return to full compliance after the US lifts all sanctions imposed, reimposed or relabeled following Washington’s withdrawal. And, that it would only do so after it has verified their effective removal.

The US team led by special envoy Rob Malley has been in engaged in talks with the European, Russian and Chinese delegations in Vienna over the past weeks but there have been no direct talks with Iran.

While expert groups restart work on a draft agreement, Russian envoy Mikhail Ulyanov says delegations seem to be ready to stay in Vienna as long as necessary to achieve their goal.

Iran’s lead delegate says the Vienna talks are not tied to the Islamic Republic’s upcoming presidential elections and the priority for his team is to protect the definitive positions expressed by the country’s top officials.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir