The head of the Iranian delegation at the nuclear talks ongoing in Vienna, Abbas Araqchi, made statements on state media. In his speech, Araqchi indicated that the United States is ready to lift many of the sanctions that it implemented on Iran. However, Iran is demanding more, according to the chief negotiator.
Araqchi told the official news agency that “The information transferred to us from the US side is that they are also serious on returning to the nuclear deal and they have so far declared their readiness to lift a great part of their sanctions”. The Iranian official also added that the point where the US stands right now, however, is far from the Iranian point of view, and negotiations will continue until the gap between the two sides closes.
Although Iranian officials had previously denied the existence of any direct or indirect talks with the United States, Araqchi told state TV that indirect talks would be maintained in the fourth round of negotiations in Vienna.
On the other hand, the White House spokesperson Jen Psaki spoke to reporters on Friday. Responding to a question regarding the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States, Psaki stated that her country is ready to lift sanctions only if Iran returns to the 2015 nuclear agreement. Besides, the spokesperson affirmed there was some progress in the talks.
