P4+1 must give ‘reasonable, rational’ response to Iran’s proposed drafts

Iran’s lead negotiator to Vienna talks says the P4+1 group of countries has been given the chance to consult with their capitals on the Islamic Republic’s two proposed drafts, underlining that Tehran expects a “reasonable, documented and rational” response.

Ali Baqeri-Kani was speaking to reporters on Friday before leaving the Austrian capital for Tehran after five days of intensive talks aimed at removing the sanctions the United States imposed on Iran after its unilateral withdrawal from the multilateral 2015 nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

During the JCPOA Joint Commission meeting on Friday, the sides gave a brief overview of the talks, which started between Iran and the remaining parties to the nuclear deal – Britain, Germany, France, China and Russia – on Monday.

The JCPOA was abandoned by then US President Donald Trump in May 2018. Trump then targeted Iran’s economy with what he called the “maximum pressure” campaign, but he failed to compel Iran to negotiate a “new deal.”

Iran and the five remaining parties to the JCPOA began the talks in the Austrian capital in April with the aim of removing Washington’s unlawful sanctions after the US voiced interest to return to the agreement.

Baqeri-Kani announced Thursday that Iran has submitted two proposed drafts to the other parties concerning the removal of sanctions and Tehran’s nuclear commitments, and is about to put forward a third draft.