Iran Announces Start of 'New Round' of High-Level Negotiations with the European Union

Iran's Foreign Minister announced in a joint interview with the EU's senior foreign policy representative that a 'new round' of high-level negotiations between Iran and the EU has begun, with Federica Mogherini emphasizing that the Vienna nuclear agreement is 'just the beginning.' Mogherini met with President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during her visit to Tehran. According to the state news agency IRNA, Zarif stated at a joint press conference with Mogherini, 'Today we decided to start a new round of dialogue between Iran and the EU, which we will refer to as high-level talks based on the EU's approach.' Zarif mentioned that these talks will begin 'in the near future' at the level of deputy foreign ministers and the deputy of the EU's senior foreign policy representative, gradually continuing at the ministerial level. He emphasized, 'We agreed to address regional issues in these high-level talks.' French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius wrote in an editorial that the Vienna nuclear agreement has created 'specific responsibilities' for Iran and Western parties, and that Iran, as an 'influential country,' can play a positive role in addressing crises in the Middle East. One day before Fabius's statement, Ali Ahani, Iran's ambassador to France, referred to the fight against the Islamic State (formerly ISIS) as a 'mutual interest' between Iran and France, indicating that this would be discussed during the French Foreign Minister's visit. However, Iran was not invited to a conference held on September 15, 2014, in Paris to discuss the fight against the Islamic State, which included leaders and senior officials from many countries. Nevertheless, following the Vienna nuclear agreement, some Iranian officials have expressed readiness to negotiate regional issues. President Rouhani stated that 'we are capable of resolving other issues in the region and the world at the negotiating table.' Two days prior to Rouhani's comments, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry mentioned that Rouhani and Zarif had 'clearly stated' their readiness to negotiate regional issues in light of the nuclear agreement. However, Zarif responded to Kerry by stating that Iran's actions in the region and its support for its 'regional allies' in the fight against the Islamic State have 'no connection' to the nuclear agreement with the P5+1 group. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also stated that the Islamic Republic will not negotiate with the U.S. on various global, bilateral, and regional issues. However, Khamenei did not impose a ban on discussions with European countries regarding regional issues. The EU's senior foreign policy representative reiterated at the press conference with Zarif that the Vienna nuclear agreement 'is not the end of the road but the beginning, and we must continue our work seriously.' Mogherini described the Vienna nuclear agreement as 'historic' and 'good news for the region and the entire world.' She added that her personal commitment is to convey the message to all Gulf countries, the Middle East, the international community, and the EU that this agreement is a good and solid one that can enhance regional security. Meanwhile, Rouhani stated in his meeting with Mogherini that the Vienna agreement will not be detrimental to any country, including regional countries. One day prior to these statements, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir described the statements and declarations of Iranian officials as 'unacceptable' and 'aggressive.' Mogherini's visit to Saudi Arabia is seen as part of Western officials' efforts to present the nuclear agreement to their allied countries, which view the agreement with skepticism or criticism. According to ISNA news agency, the EU's senior foreign policy representative also stated, 'It is important for me that after the sanctions are lifted and the agreement is implemented, European investors can come to Iran.' Following the achievement of the nuclear agreement between the P5+1 and Iran, several world leaders and representatives of major oil and commercial companies have expressed readiness to visit Iran and start joint oil and commercial projects.