Iraqi Described This Round of Nuclear Negotiations as Useful

Abbas Araqchi, a senior member of the Iranian negotiating team, stated in Vienna that Iran's priority in this round of negotiations has been the issue of lifting sanctions and how to achieve that. He also described negotiations with the American and European delegations as useful. The remarks of this Iranian Foreign Ministry official were reflected on Friday, April 23, in the Islamic Republic News Agency, IRNA, which stated that the Iranian negotiating team in Vienna is currently drafting the text of the agreement and discussing the details. He stated: "Our priority in this round of negotiations was discussions related to sanctions and clarifying the dimensions and details of it, and starting to draft agreements in this regard, and we are currently engaged in this work." The issue of lifting sanctions on Iran, in the event of reaching a comprehensive nuclear agreement, has been one of the most challenging topics surrounding Iran's negotiations with world powers in recent weeks following the Lausanne political understanding. Iranian leaders, including Ali Khamenei and Hassan Rouhani, have emphasized that sanctions against Iran should be lifted from the day the nuclear agreement is implemented, but the White House says that the lifting of sanctions will be gradual. Meanwhile, the new round of negotiations between Iran and world powers is taking place at the level of deputy foreign ministers in Vienna, one of the goals of which is to begin drafting the text of a comprehensive nuclear agreement. Abbas Araqchi stated: "At this stage, various questions about the lifting of sanctions are being raised, and we are discussing all of them, and they need to be summarized in writing. The work continues, and as progress is made in this area, information will be provided." He then referred to the statements of American officials regarding the lifting of sanctions, saying: "Both the American and European sides have provided very good clarifications on this matter. We also had very useful discussions regarding the law that is being passed in the U.S. Congress." The U.S. Congress, which is predominantly Republican, is seeking to pass a bill stating that Congress must approve any potential nuclear agreement with Iran. However, President Obama has warned that he will veto this bill if it is passed. Abbas Araqchi previously stated that Iran would seek clarification from the American negotiating team regarding this bill. This round of nuclear negotiations, which is taking place in Vienna, will conclude on Friday evening.