Sanctions must be lifted, not suspended: Iran negotiator

A top Iranian negotiator says sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program must be lifted, “not suspended,” from the day Tehran begins to meet its commitment under a final deal, Press TV reports.

Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi told Press TV in Vienna on Thursday that the sanctions against Iran are "unjust and illegitimate."

"One of the objectives of the negotiations from the beginning was to remove these unjust sanctions," he said, stressing, "All these sanctions must be lifted, not suspended."

In response to a question on the category of the sanctions that Iran demands be removed, Takht-e-Ravanchi said, "We expect all economic, trade and financial sanctions to be terminated from the … day that Iran will implement its commitments."

Iran and the P5+1 group of countries - the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany - had set June 30 as the deadline to agree on a final nuclear deal but talks in the Austrian capital missed the target date as some issues remain unresolved between the two sides.

Takht-e-Ravanchi, who also serves as Iran’s deputy foreign minister for European and American affairs, also commented on the issue of the UN Security Council sanctions.

"When we reach the implementation day, all the past resolutions of the Security Council will be terminated," he said, adding that the two sides are discussing "the next step as far as the removal of the Security Council sanctions" is concerned.

The seasoned Iranian diplomat expressed hope that a much anticipated deal on Iran's nuclear program could be sealed in the "next couple of days," although he said that would depend on the other side "making the necessary decision to get the job done."

The foreign ministers of all the P5+1 members, except Russia, as well as the EU foreign policy chief have now arrived in Vienna to join Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif for last-ditch efforts to hammer out a final nuclear deal by July 7.

Latest reports emerging from Vienna showed that the negotiating sides have yet to resolve some issues for reaching a final deal, with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini saying that works remain to be done on "technical and political issues."

"We are moving forward…we’re not there yet," said Mogherini on Thursday.

UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond also said that Iran and the P5+1 are not close to a deal yet, adding, however, that top diplomats will keep coming and going to Vienna to maintain the momentum toward a deal.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also voiced concern that a deal between Iran and the six countries could be reached imminently.

"It is clear that we are not there yet," Steinmeier told reporters, adding, "Whether everyone's will and courage will be enough at the end of the day is a question that we can't answer yet."

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said headway had been made on some issues. "There are some points where there has been progress, but on others not yet," he said on arrival in Vienna. "I will work to ... make the negotiations progress."

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the two sides face "important and sensitive issues which no one can shy away from."

"We have confidence that finally the parties concerned will arrive at fair, balanced and just agreement. I think there's a high possibility [of an agreement] but I need to consult with my colleagues," the Chinese foreign minister said.

Meanwhile, Zarif was optimistic about the outcome of the talks, saying the negotiations were "moving forward."

The top Iranian diplomat denied reports he will return to Tehran on Friday to conduct consultations on the final phases of the talks, saying he has no plans to do so.

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