Former Iranian diplomat says deal in Vienna 'not far'
A former top Iranian diplomat believes an agreement in Vienna sanctions removal talks is "not far from now," as Iran and the P4+1 are engaged in intensive talks.
The statement came as Iran and the P4+1, the five remaining signatories to the Iran Nuclear Deal, namely Britain, France, Russia, and China plus Germany, are reportedly on the cusp of restoring the deal after former US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of it and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.
Negotiating parties in Vienna have bridged some gaps since the start of the eighth round of talks in the Austrian capital ten months ago, but some outstanding issues remain.
Asked whether he sees an agreement to be reached soon in Vienna, Mohammad Javad Larijani, a former Iranian top diplomat, told Iran Press in an exclusive interview: "I don't see it imminent but i expect it to come not very far from now."
The talks in Vienna are "going in the right direction," he said. "After the great failure of the US in imposing all-out sanctions against Iran, the time has come for them to come to terms with reality."
Having said the door for success will not be open all the time, the former diplomat told Iran Press that Washington could not expect anything more than the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "Since they have come to that point, I think the negotiations will reach their end very soon."
Elaborating on the Iranian administration's approach in the Vienna talks, Larijani said: "The great achievement of the government is that they are trying to proceed without having reliance on the outcome of the Vienna talks."
Iran will go after its objectives and run the country regardless of the result of the Vienna talks, the former Iranian top diplomat concluded.
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