Vienna talks to proceed within 'governing consensus'

Speaking in his weekly presser on Monday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman answered a question raised by reporters over prospects of JCPOA revival in Vienna talks, he reminded, "The Vienna talks are not aimed at reaching a new agreement."

These talks are technical discussions and are not going to lead to a new text, Khatibzadeh noted, adding that from now on, these negotiations will proceed by a governing consensus and decisions will soon be made to determine whether the negotiations will be conducted by Foreign Ministry or any other governing body. 

He said, "Through the negotiations in Vienna, Tehran seeks to ensure the implementation of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal known as JCPOA."

If the United States returns to its obligations under Resolution 2231 in a verified manner, Iran will certainly suspend its retaliatory measures, he stressed.

“We never left the table of JCPOA and It was the United States who violated the deal and withdrew it”, the Iranian diplomat reminded. “JCPOA does not need a mediator”, he said, adding that Tehran has no direct or indirect dialogue with Washington."

The Americans must reconsider their behaviors and maximum pressure on the Iranian people, which is in fact economic terrorism, he stressed.

On Baghdad Conference

Speaking about the Baghdad regional summit which was attended by Iranian new Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Khatibzadeh said "As Iraq's neighbor, we have repeatedly stated that we will stand by the Iraqi people and support any move and initiative that contributes to the peace and stability of Iraq."

Tehran welcomes formation of inclusive govt. in Afghanistan

Referring to recent development in Afghanistan, the Iranian diplomat expressed support for the people of Afghanistan.

The spokesman also said that the lives, property, and honor of Afghanistan must be protected by all groups.

Tehran welcomes the formation of an inclusive government for Afghanistan, he said.

According to him, the future government of Afghanistan must fulfill all its commitments so as to maintain peace and stability in this country.

Afghan people must determine their own destiny, and no one outside Afghanistan's geography has the right to decide the future of Afghanistan.

US in no position to stop Iran's legitimate trade

It is the Iranian government that decides to which country it sells its fuel and oil, khatibzadeh said, answering a question over Iran’s measure to sell fuel to Lebanon.

Neither the United States nor any other country is in an illegal position to stop such legitimate trades, he stressed

Legitimate trade is one of the basic axioms of international law, he said, adding that and as long as there are customers, Iran will continue to sell fuel shipments.

On Iranian prisoners

The issue of the Iranians who have been taken hostage by the United States or in other countries under false pretenses will always be on the agenda of Iranian diplomats, elsewhere he said.

If the United States facilitates the release of Iranian prisoners and fulfills its commitments in this regard, it will be better for the Vienna talks as well, he noted.

Resolving Tehran-Riyadh differences only needs political will, action

"Saudi Arabia is our neighbor in West Asia", he said and added, Iran spares no efforts in friendship with Riyadh.

Tehran and Riyadh share many commonalties for achieving peace and stability in the region, noted the spokesman.

Khatibzadeh said that there are no unresolvable obstacles between the two countries. Resolving the issues only requires the political will and action of Riyadh and Tehran.