There is an opportunity for Iran to resume the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani said in a press conference on Monday.

Kanani said Iran has the determination to reach a good, strong and stable agreement, and sticks to the process of dialogue over nuclear issues.

"We adhere to the process of diplomacy and negotiation. We welcome the goodwill of neighboring countries. We are still present in the process of negotiations and interaction and exchange of message," he said, adding that it is possible to reach an agreement in the shortest time if the other party, especially the U.S., shows its political will. There is still time to revive the agreement.

Noting that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi attended the 77th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York City from September 20 to 26, Kanani said it was a good opportunity to conduct a series of negotiations to lift the sanctions on Iran.

The spokesperson said Iran and the U.S. exchanged information during the UN General Assembly via mediators, adding that the exchange of messages with relevant parties is underway through the the European Union (EU), which is acting as the coordinator, and some foreign ministers of neighboring countries.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the JCPOA, with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in return for removing sanctions on the country. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its commitments under the pact.

The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna but were suspended in March this year because of political differences between Tehran and Washington. The latest round of the nuclear talks was held in the Austrian capital in early August after a five-month hiatus.

On August 8, the EU put forward its final text of the draft decision on reviving the JCPOA. Iran and the U.S. later indirectly exchanged views on the proposal in a process that has so far failed to produce any favorable outcome.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi addresses the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, U.S., September 21, 2022. /CFP)