Salehi: There is a Significant Gap Between Common Understanding and Agreement

Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, acknowledged on Sunday, April 23, that there are differences between Iran and the U.S. regarding the outcome of the nuclear understanding in Lausanne, Switzerland. He emphasized that what has been achieved so far is a common understanding on various issues, not an agreement. In an interview with the 'Man Tehran' program on the Al-Alam news network, which is affiliated with the Islamic Republic, Salehi stated, 'Everyone wants to have their own narrative of the nuclear negotiations; however, it must be noted that we have not reached any agreement to date. Everything that has been done so far has been a common understanding on various topics, and there is a significant gap between common understanding and agreement. On one hand, common understanding helps in reaching an agreement.' Recently, the issue of differing narratives from Iran and the U.S. regarding the nuclear understanding in Lausanne and the differences in the U.S. 'fact sheet' has drawn criticism from several members of the U.S. Congress and the Iranian Parliament. Nevertheless, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization and one of the nuclear negotiators in Lausanne emphasized that the Iranian 'fact sheet' may be published at the discretion of Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Foreign Minister. Salehi also mentioned, 'If we did not have a common understanding on important issues, it would certainly have been very difficult to reach an agreement. Therefore, it can now be said that the ground for reaching an agreement has been prepared, although there are details and issues that need to be addressed later, and the next two or three months are for that purpose.' This Iranian official, who was present at the Lausanne nuclear negotiations, also stressed, 'In the technical aspect, we reached a common understanding; technical issues are clearer than legal and political issues.' The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization stated that the Islamic Republic will not allow visits to 'military facilities and non-nuclear facilities.' Salehi also discussed the trust-building period, stating, 'When negotiations began, the Americans raised the issue of 25 years, while Iran brought up the issue of two years. Eventually, this discussion continued to the extent that both sides ultimately agreed on ten years. Thus, the trust-building period is that ten years, but it was agreed that some specific issues, not the foundation and essence of the work, would not impose significant limitations on us.' Regarding the lifting of sanctions, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said, 'First, an agreement will be reached, and a binding agreement will be signed by both sides, and on that day, the resolutions will be lifted, and then we will enter the implementation phase, which includes a series of actions that we must take and actions that they must take.' Salehi clarified how long it would take for the Iranian side to fulfill its commitments and for the other side to lift the sanctions, stating, 'We are trying to ensure it does not reach a month, but some may take a month. It will take some time, and we are trying to reduce this duration.' While Iranian officials insist that sanctions against the Islamic Republic must be lifted all at once, U.S. officials have stated that the lifting of sanctions will be gradual. Meanwhile, Abbas Araqchi, a senior member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team, has said that there is a 'high probability' that the next round of negotiations with world powers will be held in New York City, USA, on the sidelines of the international disarmament conference. Iran and six world powers have until June 30 to reach a final and comprehensive agreement on Iran's nuclear program.