Iran Signals Readiness to Revive Nuclear Deal without Waiting for US

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran will begin contacts with Europeans without waiting for the United States to initiate negotiations.

“We will not agree to any agreement until our interests are secured,” Araghchi said in an interview on Sunday.

“It doesn't matter who the other party is, we will negotiate where our interests are secured,” he said. 

“Of course, it has its own conditions with the Americans. There were contacts in the previous government and we will continue in this government if necessary,” he said.

“It is a fact that the Americans are not ready to negotiate now,” he said.

“There is not much time left until their (presidential) election. No country is ready for serious negotiations at the time of elections and this is completely normal,” Araghchi added.

“If necessary, we will start contacts with the Europeans and we will not wait for America,” he stated.

The top Iranian diplomat added that Europeans should understand Iran's concerns. "(Just as) they have concerns, we also have concerns."

He went on to say that Iran has "an issue with Europe in terms of economic sanctions." The solution is not to use failed tools, he said.

Araghchi stated that Europeans had previously imposed a variety of sanctions against Iran for its peaceful nuclear program, but they had to come to the negotiating table.

"It is clear that the embargo has failed," he said.

In his remarks, Araghchi also stated that Europeans are concerned regarding allegations that Iran is exporting sophisticated weapons to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict.

"If Europe is really concerned, the way is dignified talks," explained the diplomat.

"Europeans should not expect one side to resolve all of their concerns." Iran is ready to talk, according to the foreign minister.

Araqchi expressed surprise that Europe remains hopeful about the failed policy of imposing sanctions on others and is acting on such a defeated experience.

The Iranian foreign minister's remarks came after the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, known as the E3, condemned what they claimed was "Iran's export and Russia's procurement of Iranian ballistic missiles."
They also moved to "cancel bilateral air services agreements with Iran" and announced that they would work to impose sanctions against Iran Air, the country's national airliner, on the pretext of allegedly interfering in the conflict in Ukraine.
On Tuesday, the US Treasury and State Department imposed sanctions against ten individuals and nine entities based in Iran and Russia.

The sanctions targeted ships that regularly transport cargo between Iran and Russia across the Caspian Sea, according to the Treasury.
Since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022, the Islamic Republic has repeatedly denied interfering in the conflict by providing military equipment and assistance to Russia.

Negotiations to restore the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), began in April 2021, three years after the United States unilaterally withdrew from the agreement and imposed harsh sanctions on Iran.

Iran has criticized the US and the E3 for their reluctance to revive the deal, prompting Tehran to escalate its nuclear activities in response to what it views as non-compliance.

In response, Iran began gradually scaling back the limits set by the JCPOA on its nuclear activities. Tehran has maintained that it would reverse its decisions if sanctions relief were provided to protect its economy.

Araghchi said that “a proper foundation must be created for restarting the negotiations and then we enter into negotiations that proceed based on the same formula used in the JCPOA, which was confidence building instead of lifting sanctions.”

“The JCPOA was based on the logic that Iran would build confidence in its peaceful nuclear program and the other side would lift sanctions. We can return to this formula,” he stated.

“In my opinion, the JCPOA is still a suitable framework that will lead us to a new agreement,” he said.

“Of course, all of this depends on us reaching a point of mutual understanding with the Europeans and the rest of the JCPOA members so that we can enter into renewed negotiations from an equal position,” he added.

“It's not like we need to remove the sanctions in such a way that we violate our larger interests or our own dignity. No, we are ready to enter into respectful discussions,” Araghchi said.

“Our look at the past is to learn from the past, but we don't stop at the past. We’ll look to the future,” he stated.

Talks have been stalled since August 2022, with Iran attributing the delay to a lack of political will from the Biden administration, which has not undone the damage caused by former US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the deal.