An Iranian official confirmed a preliminary response to the European proposal in the negotiations of the nuclear agreement in Vienna, and Washington revealed its willingness to sign the agreement.
The Iranian news agency quoted an Iranian official as saying that Tehran had given an initial response to the EU text to revive the nuclear deal.
For its part, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that Minister Amir Abdollahian discussed with the European Union High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Josep Borrell the developments of the nuclear talks.
“Our negotiating team in Vienna was determined to reach an agreement and presented ideas to resolve outstanding issues,” Abdullahian added.
The minister considered that the final agreement must guarantee the rights and interests of the Iranian people and lift sanctions effectively and permanently.
For his part, Borrell stressed the continuation of efforts to bring the views closer to reach a positive and good result for all parties.
Archyde.com reported that the Iranian negotiating delegation returned to Tehran after negotiations that lasted for several days.
Iranian statements
A senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official said, “During the last round of negotiations, we discussed a number of our proposals and made relatively progress.”
He added that the concerns of the Iranian negotiating delegation were about how to implement the agreement and Iran benefit from it, considering that the main principle in the negotiations is to guarantee Iran’s rights and interests.
The Iranian official explained that the delegation informed the European coordinator of his response regarding the ideas he presented, and that they need detailed research.
In turn, the adviser to the Iranian negotiating delegation said that “the ball is now in Washington’s court, and it is required for a text that guarantees respect for its obligations.”
He added that any agreement in Vienna must be clear and ensure that it is implemented without hindrances.
The advisor stressed that Iran will continue its “constructive” engagement in discussing the proposals that were presented, considering that the role of the European coordinator is crucial, and that it is up to the rest of the parties to decide on the final text.
American willingness
For its part, the US State Department said that the EU text is the only possible basis for reviving the nuclear agreement with Iran, stressing Washington’s readiness to quickly reach an agreement on this basis.
“Iran has repeatedly said that it is ready to revive the agreement, and we have to see if its words match its actions,” she added.
It’s time for final decisions
On the other hand, a senior European official confirmed to Al Jazeera that the text presented by the European Coordinator for Negotiations, Enrique Mora, is the maximum that all parties can provide.
“After a year and a half of negotiations on the nuclear deal, it is time for final decisions,” he added.
The European source said the biggest remaining obstacle was the dispute over Iran’s relationship with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
“There is no specific date for the delegations’ return to Vienna, and we hope that they will return as soon as possible,” he added.
In turn, Borrell said, “We have a final text and there are decisions that must be taken in the capitals concerned to return to the nuclear agreement.”
European and Russian optimism
Al-Jazeera correspondent reported that the European coordinator, Enrique Mora, will leave Vienna on Monday evening.
Mora had said that there was progress in the talks, indicating that he expected the negotiations to close soon.
Mora expressed optimism, adding that negotiations may take several more days.
This came after Mora met separately with the Iranian and American parties in Vienna, on the fifth day of the ninth round of talks to revive the Iranian nuclear agreement concluded in 2015.
After his meeting with Mora, the Russian delegate Mikhail Ulyanov said that progress had been made in the talks, calling on Twitter for the parties to the negotiations to tighten each other’s hands to achieve the agreement, as he put it.