Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh made statements to reporters at a weekly press conference. Ongoing nuclear negotiations in Vienna as well as Saudi-Iran talks were among the subjects that the spokesperson touched upon.
In terms of the nuclear talks, Khatibzadeh denied the speculation claiming that an “initial agreement” had been reached with the powers participating in talks in Vienna for reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. He told reporters that no agreement will be made unless “all of the conditions are met.” Denying the agreement claims, Khatibzadeh affirmed, on the other hand, that some remarkable progress had been made in Vienna. Yet, more progress would be required for political decisions, he added.
On the other hand, the Spokesperson also touched upon recent reports speculating that Iran had asked Saudi Arabia to help in selling its oil in international markets. Based on an Iraqi official who is familiar with Saudi-Iranian talks, the report claimed that Iranians preferred to do so in order to circumvent US sanctions.
According to the Iraqi official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Iran offered to sell its oil to Saudi Arabia at a lower price compared to international market prices, on the condition that the Saudis sell it on the world markets in their own way. While the Spokesperson rebuffed the speculation, he emphasized that the talks between his country and Saudi Arabia are proceeding, and the main subjects of the talks are bilateral, regional, and international issues.
