Dialogue only way to resolve nuclear issue, envoy says

VIENNA－Dialogue and negotiations are the only right way to solve the Iran nuclear issue, and the United States should lift all illegal sanctions against Iran and third parties, including China, said the Chinese envoy to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna on Monday.

Wang Qun made the remarks as the nuclear talks resumed in Vienna. He also welcomed Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani, who was participating in the negotiations for the first time along with a delegation from the new Iranian government.

"We hope that all parties concerned will seize the opportunity, adhere to the direction of political and diplomatic solutions, fully reflect goodwill and flexibility, respect each other's interests, create a good atmosphere and creatively resolve the outstanding issues through negotiations," he said.

As the one who started the current Iran nuclear crisis, the US should lift all related illegal sanctions against Iran and third parties, including China, in order to regain the trust of the international community, while Iran should again comprehensively fulfill its obligations on this basis, Wang said. He added that China will continue to defend its legitimate rights and interests in the lifting of sanctions and other aspects.

The talks resumed on Monday after a hiatus of more than five months. Diplomats from China, Russia, the UK, France and Germany, as well as Iran, convened at the Palais Coburg hotel, where the 2015 nuclear deal was signed. As the US withdrew from the agreement under then president Donald Trump in May 2018, it was participating as an observer in the talks.

Optimism expressed

The previous round of talks on the restoration of the 2015 deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was held in June.

Diplomats from the EU and Russia also expressed optimism on Monday.

"I feel extremely positive about what I have seen today," said Enrique Mora, deputy secretary-general of the European External Action Service, after the meeting.

Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's envoy for the talks, wrote on Twitter that they "started quite successfully".

Iran's negotiating team has set out demands for the revival of the nuclear agreement, including the removal of all US sanctions, a verification mechanism for the removal of embargo, and guarantees from the US that future administrations will not breach the deal.

Iran struck a tough tone on Tuesday after one day of restarted talks, according to The Associated Press.

Speaking to Iranian state television, Bagheri Kani referred to the previous rounds of talks only as a "draft".

"Drafts are subject to negotiation. Therefore, nothing is agreed on unless everything has been agreed on," he said.

Xinhua - Agencies