U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley said he was getting ready to leave, though noted that he did not anticipate significant progress.
By JNS
High-level indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran geared towards reviving the 2015 nuclear agreement will resume this week in Vienna, according to officials from both countries, who on Wednesday downplayed hopes for a breakthrough. The talks are mediated by the European Union.
According to state media, Nasser Kanaani, a spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, said that Tehran was prepared to reach a deal that ensured its rights, reported Reuters.
An Iranian official who asked not to be named said the talks would start again on Thursday.
Before leaving for Vienna, Iran’s chief negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani tweeted: “Show maturity & act responsibly.”
“Heading to Vienna to advance the negotiations. The onus is on those who breached the deal & have failed to distance from ominous legacy,” he posted.
U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley said he was preparing to depart as well, though noted that he did not anticipate any significant progress.
“Our expectations are in check; the United States welcomes E.U. efforts and is prepared for a good faith attempt to reach a deal. It will shortly be clear if Iran is prepared for the same,” he tweeted.
The director of the International Atomic Energy Agency said on Tuesday that Iran’s nuclear program was advancing rapidly and that “good words” from Tehran were insufficient to satisfy inspectors.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said the recent decision to feed gas into cascades of new centrifuges was made in response to America’s obsession with imposing new sanctions on the country.
He said that the “irrational” and “insane” sanctions imposed by the United States on his country would have no negative impact on Iran’s progress.
“I would like to point out that in response to this American action, Iran started feeding gas into hundreds of new generation centrifuges last night,” he said, according to Iran’s Press TV.