Vienna Talks: Iran cites relatively good progress over past few days 

Homa Lezgee
Press TV, Vienna

Iran’s lead delegate to the Vienna talks says there’s been relatively good progress in negotiations aimed at restoring the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Ali Bagheri Kani says the talks have been focused on the removal of US sanctions.

Iran says it will go back to its nuclear commitments only after it verifies the full removal of US sanctions. Tehran has also demanded guarantees that the US will not withdraw from the JCPOA again or impose sanctions that violate the deal.

A European source close to the negotiations says all participants agree that verification and assurances have to be reflected in the final document but that there are still questions on how that is possible. So are these issues going to create major obstacles in the way of a final agreement?

Russia’s lead delegate Mikhail Ulyanov said he believed an agreement could be achieved in the first half of February, adding that although the discussions were difficult, there was steady progress.

Informal consultations are set to continue within the framework of the Vienna talks. The 8th round will resume after a three-day break for the New Year holidays on Monday.

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