Iraqchi: The American Delegation's Explanation on Congressional Actions Was Very Useful

A senior member of Iran's nuclear negotiation team described the process of 'writing down' how to lift Iran's sanctions as 'complex and extensive,' and announced that he had 'constructive discussions' with American diplomats regarding 'Congressional actions.' Abbas Araqchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister and a member of the negotiation team, reported 'constructive discussions' with American and European diplomats on the issue of sanctions, calling the explanations from the American negotiation team regarding this and 'Congressional actions' 'very useful.' According to IRNA, Araqchi stated on Saturday, April 24, after the conclusion of nuclear talks in Vienna, that the main focus of their work this time was sanctions, and they started drafting based on the discussion of sanctions. The negotiations between Iran and the 5+1 group took place from Wednesday, April 21, for three days in Vienna. Reports indicate that the drafting of the final agreement text regarding Iran's nuclear program has begun. Araqchi described these negotiations as 'good and useful,' while also stating that 'we will proceed very slowly.' The senior member of Iran's nuclear negotiation team reiterated that all economic and financial sanctions against Iran must be lifted on the day the final agreement with the 5+1 group is implemented. Araqchi also referred to the 'very different dimensions' of the sanctions imposed by the Security Council, the U.S., and Europe against Iran, describing the process of 'writing down' how to lift these sanctions as 'very complex and extensive.' Lifting sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program immediately after a potential final agreement with world powers is a key emphasis of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and the President of Iran. However, the U.S. has stated that if a nuclear agreement with Iran is reached, the lifting of Tehran's sanctions will be done in phases. Hamid Baidi-Nejad, another member of the Iranian negotiation team, also mentioned last Thursday that the 'priority' of this team in the Vienna negotiations was to clarify 'more details' about how to lift Iran's sanctions. Araqchi continued his remarks on Saturday by saying, 'Our effort is to keep the atmosphere of negotiations constructive and not to pay attention to the statements and remarks made by domestic audiences from the other side... considering the problems that some countries have internally.' He also emphasized in an interview with Press TV, 'We had a very good discussion, especially with the American delegation, and we asked them to clarify their position on sanctions and to explain what is happening in Congress. In my opinion, the explanation from the American delegation was very useful.' On Tuesday, April 14, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously voted on a proposal that, if finally approved by Congress and signed by the U.S. President, would give Congress the authority to comment on the final agreement with Iran. Despite previous disagreements between the White House and U.S. senators regarding this proposal, the White House announced that Barack Obama, the U.S. President, welcomed it considering the changes made to the proposal.