Iran’s former nuclear negotiator has told the Radio Goftogoo that the current round of talks is strictly limited to nuclear issues and if the other side of the table raises their concerns, then they must understand that it’s two-way traffic
Iran’s former nuclear negotiator Abolfazl Zohrevand who had joined our “Rooydad” Show through a telephone call pointed towards the confidential part of the negotiations and said that Iran has maintained a practical approach; the Iranian team had raised weak points of the previous six rounds of negotiations and offered a clear solution for those problems.
He added that the European side of the deal joined the talks empty-handed and also didn’t have any point to reject Iran’s new draft. “Initially they claimed that Iran is after buying time by presenting the new draft, but gradually they retreated from this accusation while the Deputy Spokesperson of the EU also called the Iranian text as encouraging.”
Zohrevand also said that the Russian representative has also welcomed the new Iranian drafts; “at the moment the Iranian and the Western team of experts must handle the situation with care because the West is in a checkmate position.”
Abolfazl Zohrevand added that during the last few days of negotiations, the Iranian team issued a statement about the re-installation of the cameras which indicated that despite its powerful and superior position in the talks, Iran is demonstrating a great amount of flexibility.
The former nuclear negotiator emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran insists on the removal of all sanctions while being ready to abide by all the limitations set under the JCPOA; thus, the negotiators will return to their capitals to discuss the developments with their officials.
Zohrevand insisted that there isn’t any option other than dialogue to resolve this issue saying that the European team has agreed upon an acceptable minimum which must be checked during the later stages of the talks.
Zohrevand added that according to the bigger picture, the path seems clear and the Europeans will rejoin the talks practically.
He recalled the assumptions regarding 70 percent development in the negotiating process and said that there aren’t any hurdles towards reaching this target because the main problem is the last part of the draft where lots of brackets were left blank which must be filled and closed according to our national interests.
“At the end, it must remain a win-win game; because we’re not here to give up everything in favor of the West.” He said.
He reiterated that the talks are restricted to nuclear issues and if the west has some concerns, so do we; It’s two-way traffic.
Former Iranian nuclear negotiator Abolfazl Zohrevand also called the phrase “Iran must return to the Nuclear Deal” a false narrative and said that Iran has always been a dedicated signatory of the JCPOA; therefore, the one who is obliged to return to the Nuclear Deal is the western side.”
