Iran's foreign minister on Sunday said Tehran received messages from other parties to the 2015 nuclear deal through Qatar aimed at resuming the stalled talks.
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks during a joint press conference in the Iranian capital with his Qatari counterpart Mohammad bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.
Foreign Minister of Qatar Mohammad bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, who arrived in Iran's capital Tehran on Sunday, was welcomed by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian with an official reception ceremony.@Iran_GOV @IRIMFA_EN pic.twitter.com/h1WzfFWbGc
— Pak Iran Media Forum (@PakIranMedia) January 29, 2023
He thanked the Qatari government for its efforts in bringing all parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, back to their commitments in order to salvage the deal.
The marathon talks in Vienna aimed at reviving the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers remained stalled since August last year due to key disagreements between Iran and the US.
TEHRAN: Qatar's Foreign Minister Abdul Rahman Al-Thani met his Iranian counterpart Amir Abdollahian in Tehran & discussions focused on bilateral ties, regional issues including the Iran's Nuclear Agreement #JCPOA. pic.twitter.com/zzAZl5Xk8X
— Syed Zabiullah Langari (@syed2000) January 30, 2023
Recent protests in Iran and reports regarding Tehran's supply of drones to Russia for use in the Ukraine war have exacerbated tensions between the two sides, with US officials publicly saying the nuclear talks are no longer on the agenda.
The top Qatari diplomat, for his part, said he came to Tehran carrying messages from the US, adding that it provided a "good opportunity" to solve problems that are impeding the revival of the agreement.
The two officials also discussed bilateral and regional issues, Amir-Abdollahian said, including the "development of commercial and economic cooperation" and removal of obstacles.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian receives his visiting counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Tehran on January 29, 2023. #Iran #Qatar pic.twitter.com/4HinKnGYe6
— Khabar Online (EN) (@KhabarOnlineEN) January 29, 2023
The Iranian foreign minister stressed that Iran has "always welcomed regional dialogue" to ensure "strong and stable" cooperation with all regional countries.
He also confirmed the exchange of messages between Iran and Bahrain "through an intermediary", while referring to "great developments" in Iran's relations with its Persian Gulf neighbors.
On tension-easing talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia, brokered by Iraq, the top Iranian diplomat said the new round will resume as agreed between the two sides.
Iran nuclear talks end without progress
— RT (@RT_com) July 1, 2022
A European mediator said Tehran and Washington failed to resolve outstanding issues during negotiations in Qatarhttps://t.co/N5FvyX1veT pic.twitter.com/bHNcrcldmL
On relations with Ukraine, Amir-Abdollahian said it cannot be termed "hostile", adding that the first round of talks between the two sides was held in Oman while welcoming the second round.
He also commented on drone attacks on a military complex in the central province of Isfahan on Saturday night, calling it an "attempt by Iran's enemies to destabilize the country's security".
He said the attacks were foiled, adding that it "cannot weaken Iran's will to proceed with its peaceful nuclear program", without blaming any country or group for it.
