Zarif: Iran's Nuclear Negotiations with 5+1 to Resume on January 15

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, announced that the next round of nuclear negotiations with the 5+1 countries will resume on January 15 (25 Dey) at the level of deputy foreign ministers. The Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) reported on Tuesday, Dey 9, that Zarif disclosed the date of this round of nuclear talks to members of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and assured them that 'the Islamic Republic is ready for any outcome.' According to the report, citing Hossein Naqavi Hosseini, spokesman for the National Security Commission, the Foreign Minister emphasized that 'the negotiating team demands the complete lifting of sanctions as a whole.' Zarif had previously stated in separate letters to foreign ministers of several countries that the removal of all existing sanctions against Iran 'is an essential part of any agreement.' Although international sanctions against Iran were somewhat eased with last year's agreement in Geneva, the U.S. claims that the structure of sanctions remains intact. Recently, the head of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce announced that Iran has approximately $100 billion blocked in countries like India, China, and Japan, which it cannot access. Meanwhile, Zarif insists that the Islamic Republic 'wants the complete lifting of sanctions all at once, backed by the resilience of the Iranian people.' He also referred to internal developments in the U.S. and the recent midterm elections, stating, 'If the Americans do not reach a conclusion to achieve an agreement, it is due to their internal issues and problems.' Zarif ultimately stated, 'If the other side has a heavy responsibility and is under various pressures, we stand firm, and according to the Leader's directive, we will accept a reasonable proposal; otherwise, we are ready for any outcome.' Previously, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, stated that Iran 'accepts fair and rational contracts.' The last round of negotiations between Iran and world powers took place on Azar 26 in Geneva, which Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, described as 'very useful.' However, he noted that there is still a long way to go to reach a solution.