Nuclear talks reach 'sensitive point', Iran FM says

TEHERAN－Nuclear talks in Vienna have reached a "sensitive point", said Iran's foreign minister on Wednesday during a news conference with his Omani counterpart in Teheran.

"In Munich, we emphasized to the European Union's (Josep) Borrell that Iran will never cross its red lines," said Hossein Amir Abdollahian, referring to the bloc's foreign policy chief. "We wonder whether the Western side can adopt a realistic approach to go through the remaining points of the talks."

A positive sign also comes from the Russian side. "Apparently, the negotiations on restoration of#JCPOA are about to cross the finish line," wrote Russian envoy Mikhail Ulyanov on Twitter on Tuesday.

Reuters reported last week that a US-Iranian deal was taking shape in Vienna after months of talks between Teheran and major powers to revive the nuclear pact known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, abandoned by the United States in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump.

A draft text of the agreement alluded only vaguely to other issues, diplomats said. These issues include unfreezing billions of dollars in Iranian funds overseas and the release of prisoners held in Iran.

In another development, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi urged the international community on Tuesday to resist the United States' unilateral "cruel sanctions" against other countries' oil and gas industries, according to the Iranian presidency's website.

Speaking at the sixth summit of the 11-member Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Doha, Raisi said imposing hegemonic will and demands on other independent states through sanctions cannot be an effective strategy in today's world, as it jeopardizes the collective interests of GECF members.

Hydrocarbon products

As one of the world's biggest holders of natural gas reserves, Iran has considerable capacities for the production, transfer and export of hydrocarbon products. It also seeks to play a greater role in ensuring global energy security by expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation with its neighbors and other countries.

Iran's regional strategy is based on increasing gas production and exports and providing regional nations with maximum access to clean fuel.

Raisi also called on the international community to support multilateral initiatives aimed at ensuring the security of sustainable energy supply and protecting the environment.

Xinhua - Agencies