EU: Talks with Iran over Nuclear Deal Resume in Vienna Next Week

The European Union (EU) announced the resumption of talks on reviving the Iranian nuclear deal in the Austrian capital, Vienna, next week.

The European External Action Service said in a statement published today, Saturday, on its website, that the eighth round of negotiations in Vienna within the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA-the nuclear agreement) will take a break. The participants will return to their capitals for consultations with their governments, then the talks will resume next week.

"Participants will continue discussions on the prospects of a possible return of the United States of America (USA) to the JCPOA and how to ensure the full and effective implementation of the agreement by all parties," the statement added.

However, European Delegation Announces Suspension of Nuclear Negotiations with Iran in Vienna

The European Union delegation announced yesterday, Friday, the suspension of the Vienna negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program for consultations, calling on the various parties concerned to take "political decisions."

Enrique Mora, the European coordinator for the Vienna negotiations on reviving the nuclear agreement with Iran, wrote on Twitter: "The participants are returning to their capitals for consultations and (received) instructions in preparation for returning next week. Political decisions must be taken now."

Negotiations began last April in Vienna, the capital city of Austria, and resumed at the end of November after a five-month hiatus.

Yesterday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh affirmed his country's determination to reach a permanent nuclear agreement that guarantees its interests.

The Iranian Foreign Minister, Hussein Amir Abdollahian, discussed with his Qatari counterpart, Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, regional developments, and a number of issues of common interest in Tehran.

Iran confirmed that it wants to obtain real guarantees during the ongoing negotiations between it and the world powers (4+1) in Vienna over its nuclear file.

"We are interested in obtaining real and comprehensive guarantees with a focus on lifting the embargo" imposed on Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdollahian said during a meeting of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Iran's Majlis (Parliament) to present a report on the negotiation process.

He added, "To date, we have not had any direct negotiations with the United States of America."

Abdollahian continued to say that negotiations with the member states of the 4+1 group are continuing in a good way amid our emphasis on the issue of verification, and good progress has been made so far, but there are still outstanding issues."