Iran Ready To Discuss New Nuclear Program Agreement With Western Countries

UNSPLASH/Sina Drakhshani ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Iran is ready to immediately start talks with Western countries over its nuclear program if the negotiations lead to new agreements, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas AragCHI said.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi previously stated that a new round of consultations between Iran and Europe regarding the nuclear deal would take place on January 13.

"We are still ready to carry out constructive negotiations without delay regarding our nuclear program. Negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement," Araghchi was quoted as saying by IRNA in an interview with Chinese CCTV reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Saturday, January 4.

Negotiations over the nuclear program between Iran and the European Union's troika took place on November 29, 2024, in Geneva after a two-year hiatus. Iran's delegation to the talks was led by Majid Takht Ravanchi, Iran's Assistant Foreign Minister for Political Affairs.

A week earlier, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution proposed by Britain, Germany, France, and the United States (US), which Tehran criticized as anti-Iran.

The resolution was taken without considering the results of the visit by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to Iran.

Grossi visited Iran on November 14-15, 2024, with the aim of holding talks with the country's leaders and examining nuclear facilities at Fordo and Natanz.

This inspection aims to decide on the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) related to Iran's nuclear program.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in his talks with Grossi confirmed that Tehran is not developing and will not develop nuclear weapons.

JCPOA was signed in 2015 by Iran, France, Germany, Britain, China, Russia, the US, and the European Union. This agreement regulates the relief of Iran in exchange for restrictions on the country's nuclear program.

However, the US withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and imposed sanctions on Tehran again. In response, Iran has gradually reduced its commitment to nuclear research and uranium enrichment.