Vienna nuclear talks a ‘positive sign’: White House
“The diplomatic conversations, though they will be indirect, will reconvene tomorrow in Vienna. We know this will be a long process, but we certainly see that as a positive sign,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a press briefing. “Our focus is on the diplomatic path forward. "
Talks began in Vienna last week, after virtual discussions were held aimed at bringing the US back to the nuclear deal, and Iran into full compliance with the agreement. Iran has rejected face-to-face talks with the US, with discussions being held through intermediaries.
Psaki added that there was no “indication” from Iranians that they will pull back from negotiations.
“We are also very open-eyed about how this will be a long process. It’s happening through indirect discussions, but we still feel that it is a step forward.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei however, has said the suggestions made during the talks are “degrading” and “not worth looking at.”
"The US is not after accepting the truth through negotiations. Rather, it seeks to impose its false words. The Europeans have also confessed in some private meetings with our officials that Iran is in the right, and they acknowledge our policy that sanctions must be removed first," Khamenei said during a Ramadan speech on Wednesday.
"Nevertheless, when it comes to making decisions, the same Europeans follow the US. Because they don’t have any true independence and the US is an aggressor too. The suggestions they make are often arrogant and degrading, thus they aren’t even worth looking at.”
Concerns rose as Iran announced on Tuesday that it will increase its nuclear enrichment to 60 percent.
Deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said it was in response to the cyber attack on Natanz nuclear enrichment site -blamed on Israel by Iranian officials – to replace the 1,000 centrifuges lost during the blackout.
“We take very seriously its provocative announcement of an intent to begin enriching uranium at 60 percent,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “I have to tell you the step calls into question Iran’s seriousness with regard the nuclear talks,” he added.
The United Kingdom, France and Germany have also said they note Iran’s pledges to increase nuclear activity “with grave concern.”
The three nations, also known as the E3, released a joint statement on Wednesday calling on Iran “not to further complicate the diplomatic process” as talks continue over the landmark nuclear accord, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Under the deal, Iran’s uranium enrichment is capped at 3.67 percent. The country has repeatedly violated its obligations under the JCPOA since the US withdrew from the deal in 2018, reimposing sanctions on the Islamic Republic. The US has said it will return to the deal if Iran returns to full compliance with the deal, but Tehran insists on a full lift on sanctions before it will make any changes.
Rudaw
