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Iran nuclear deal: Tehran rules out informal talks with EU and U.S. to revive 2015 nuclear deal
Updated 11:24, 01-Mar-2021
CGTN
00:38

Iran on Sunday ruled out holding an informal meeting with the United States and European powers to discuss ways to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, insisting that Washington must first lift all its unilateral sanctions.

"Considering the recent actions and statements by the United States and three European powers, Iran does not consider this the time to hold an informal meeting with these countries, which was proposed by the EU foreign policy chief," said foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh, according to Iranian media.

The United States said it was disappointed but remained ready to "re-engage in meaningful diplomacy" and would consult with the other major powers to seek a way forward.

Iranian officials had said Tehran was studying a proposal by European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to hold an informal meeting with other parties to the nuclear pact and the United States, which reimposed sanctions on Iran after then-President Donald Trump quit the deal in 2018.

A photo, released November 5, 2019 by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, shows centrifuge machines in the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Iran. /AP

A photo, released November 5, 2019 by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, shows centrifuge machines in the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Iran. /AP

The new administration of President Joe Biden has said it is ready to talk to Iran about both nations resuming compliance with the accord, which scrapped broad economic sanctions against Iran in return for curbs intended to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons.

But the parties cannot agree who should make the first move. Iran says the United States must lift sanctions, while Washington says Tehran must return to compliance with the 2015 deal.

Read more: Zarif says U.S. must return to nuclear deal, then Tehran will comply

A White House spokeswoman said Washington remained keen to achieve a "mutual return to compliance" with the deal. She said it would consult with the major powers that are also parties to the deal – Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia – on the best way forward.

Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, addresses workers during a visit at the Natanz nuclear facility in 2019. /AFP

Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, addresses workers during a visit at the Natanz nuclear facility in 2019. /AFP

On Sunday, Iran's nuclear chief said that Tehran will give a proper response to any anti-Iran resolution adopted by the 35-nation Board of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which convenes its regular March meeting virtually on Monday.

Last Tuesday, Tehran stopped implementing the so-called Additional Protocol, which had enabled the IAEA to carry out snap inspections at undeclared locations.

Official IRNA news agency reported on Sunday that the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran will install new generations of IR2M and IR6 centrifuges at Fordow and Natanz nuclear facilities. 

(With input from Xinhua, Reuters)

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