The European Union’s top representative for foreign affairs and security policy has expressed hope that the bloc’s nuclear diplomacy with Iran will resume soon.
“We hope that nuclear diplomacy can resume soon since a solution to the Iran nuclear issue cannot wait any longer. It will also be conducive to the stabilisation of the region,” Peter Stano said in an interview with ISNA on Sunday, adding, “Diplomacy is the way to find solutions on sensitive issues and we have already reached out to the new President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi.”
Asked about the possibility of resuming talks on lifting anti-Iran sanctions, Stano said EU High Representative Josep Borrell and his team are in contact with Iran, other members of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as well as the US to keep all channels of communication open and keep the possibility of meaningful nuclear talks alive.
The spokesman reiterated claims about Iran’s nuclear programme, saying:
“The EU relies entirely on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the agency’s report on Iran’s nuclear trajectory and lack of cooperation raises serious concerns.”
The statement came as the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) and the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a joint statement following the recent anti-Iran resolution at the IAEA that Iran’s policy has always been based on constructive engagement with the IAEA within the framework of the rights and obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.
However, the three European countries and the US, which has a long history of dishonesty and clear non-compliance with its commitments, including in the context of the JCPOA, and has resorted to unjust sanctions and unlawful pressure on the Iranian people, presented a resolution against Iran at the Board of Governors in a confrontational and unjustified action.
The two Iranian organisations also said that the politicised, unrealistic approach undermines the positive atmosphere created and the agreements reached. However, Stano noted:
“The EU is committed to a comprehensive political approach based on mutual respect.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that European countries are interested in starting negotiations and we are likely to start them soon.
