Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian gave his first interview as foreign minister on Monday. During his speech, he touched upon the nuclear talks in Vienna to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), saying the talks should bring “tangible outcomes” for the Iranian nation.
Regarding the stalled talks, the Iranian Foreign Minister suggested the US refrain from using the “language of threats” against Iran and instead assume a “respectful approach” during the negotiation process. “The Islamic Republic welcomes whatever talks that are governed by logic,” he added.
Negotiations with P5+1 countries to revive the 2015 nuclear deal were stalled after the June 18 presidential election. The last round of negotiations was completed on June 20, and it is unclear when the talks will resume. The US side warned Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to restart the talks in a short time, by saying that this progress will not go on indefinitely.
Abdollahian also addressed the latest developments in Afghanistan during his interview. He considered the events in Afghanistan as the consequences of the US’ faults in the country. He said, “All of Afghanistan’s problems are rooted in the Americans’ deeds.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister also expressed his country’s support for a “safe Afghanistan”, where its people could establish a completely comprehensive government that would involve all Afghan ethnicities, by exercising their right to self-determination.
Referring to the regional conference Iraq organized in Baghdad on August 28, in which regional states, including Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE participated, the Iranian top diplomat emphasized the importance of such gatherings which could bring regional players together, without outsiders’ presence.
Abdollahian also touched upon the talk with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan. The Saudi diplomat stated that Riyadh intends to maintain diplomatic relations with Tehran during Iran’s new government under Raisi, according to Iran’s foreign minister.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Ambassador to Iraq stated that his government plans to hold a new round of talks with Saudi Arabia in Iraq after the new administration in Iran is established.
Speaking to the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA), on August 31, Ambassador Iraj Masjedi said, “We have had three rounds of negotiations with the Saudi side, and the fourth round is to be held after the formation of a new Iranian government.”
All but one of Raisi’s candidates for a conservative government were accepted by Iran’s parliament last Wednesday.
