Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister told the Joint Commission of Iran nuclear deal on Friday that lifting of the US sanctions is the first step to revive the 2015 accord. Meanwhile, Russia’s ambassador to international organizations said that the talks were on the ‘right track’.

Representatives of China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain, and Iran met virtually on Friday to discuss the prospect of a possible return of the United States to the nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The Joint Commission chaired on behalf of EU High Representative Josep Borrell by the Deputy Secretary-General and Political Director of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora.

Participants discussed the prospect of a possible return of the United States to the JCPOA and how to ensure the full and effective implementation of the agreement by all sides, Iranian media reported

According to a decision made by the participants to the meeting, it was agreed that the Joint Commission to be followed in person on Tuesday in Vienna.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi who led the Iranian delegation in the meeting provided explanations over the principled positions of the Islamic Republic towards JCPOA, considering the lifting of US sanctions as the first step to revive the accord.

“There is no need for any negotiations to return the United States to the table of JCPOA, and the US path in this regard is quite clear,” said the Iranian diplomat.

“Just as the United States withdrew from the agreement and imposed illegal sanctions on Iran, it can return to the agreement and end the violation,” Araghchi added.

Tweeting after the meeting, Russia’s ambassador to the UN atomic watchdog Mikhail Ulyanov said that his assessment was that things were on the right track.

The virtual meeting of the Joint Commission of #JCPOA is over. Discussions were quite businesslike and will continue. The impression is that we are on the right track but the way ahead will not be easy and will require intensive efforts. The stakeholders seem to be ready for that

— Mikhail Ulyanov (@Amb_Ulyanov) April 2, 2021

In other tweets, he noted that the meeting participants “recognized the prospect of full return of the US to the nuclear deal,” stressing that US’ return to the accord requires full compliance.

At today’s virtual meeting of the Joint Commission of #JCPOA the Participants ( including #Iran, of course) recognised the prospect of full return of the #US to the nuclear deal and underlined their readiness to positively address this in a joint effort.

— Mikhail Ulyanov (@Amb_Ulyanov) April 2, 2021

Possible #US return to #JCPOA apparently will require full Washington’s compliance with the nuclear deal and #UNSC resolution 2231.

— Mikhail Ulyanov (@Amb_Ulyanov) April 2, 2021

Source: Iranian media