Resumption of Vienna talks depends on an agreement between the parties

Speaking in his weekly press conference which was held online, Khatibzadeh pointed to the shipping of fuel to Lebanon, saying that it is a sovereign issue and that neither the US nor any other country is in a place to prevent Iran’s legitimate trading.

Everybody should understand that legitimate trading is an obvious principle of international law, the spokesman underlined, adding that some countries should avoid politicizing Lebanon’s issues and let its people supply their needs.

Referring to the participation of Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in the international conference in Baghdad, the senior diplomat said that Iran would welcome any initiative that helps peace and security in Iraq and its regional role.

Afghanistan and Taliban

Asked about the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's recent remarks on Afghanistan and whether Iran would recognize the Taliban government, Khatibzadeh responded that what the Supreme Leader said was Iran’s solid stance during over 40 years of the Islamic Republic history and that Iran has been always beside Afghanistan people, prioritizing peace, stability, and development of Afghanistan.

What brings peace and security for Afghanistan is the formation of an inclusive government which represents ethnic and demographic combination of the country, he went on to say, adding that Iran waits for the government in Afghanistan to take shape to decide on recognition.

On the positive image given to the Taliban by some Iranian media, the diplomat emphasized that Afghanistan’s fate should be decided on by Afghan people and the Taliban, as a group, are part of Afghan people and the country’s future.

Vienna talks

The spokesman said that EU foreign policy chief had a phone conversation with Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian, urging the resumption of Vienna talks on the revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as soon as possible.

Any timing of the resumption of talks depends on an agreement between the parties involved, according to Khatibzadeh, who also said that Vienna talks weren’t aimed at producing a new text but at making sure that the US was going to implement the JCPOA in a precise manner.

Asked if the talks would be assigned to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council instead of Foreign Ministry, the spokesman emphasized that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a governmental issue and the government decides which entity would follow the case.

Khatibzadeh reiterated that Iran has no direct talks with the US and it should make sure that Washington has verifiably implemented the JCPOA before Iran resumes full compliance with the deal.

Iran has seen no change in US treatment regarding the JCPOA, as Joe Biden administration has only insisted on its predecessor’s failing policies on Iran, the spokesman stated.

END