TEHRAN -- Iran’s lead negotiator to Vienna talks says the P4+1 group of countries has been given the chance to consult with their capitals on the Islamic Republic’s two proposed drafts, underlining that Tehran expects a “reasonable, documented and rational” response.
Ali Baqeri-Kani made the remarks after five days of intensive talks aimed at removing the sanctions the United States imposed on Iran after its unilateral withdrawal from the multilateral 2015 nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
“It was emphasized that the proposals of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the removal of illegal and oppressive sanctions and the nuclear issue are on the table,” Baqeri-Kani said.
“Since the opposite side needed to consult with their capitals to provide a documented and reasonable response to these proposals, it suggested that the talks be suspended for a few days.”
The senior Iranian diplomat noted that a new round of negotiations between the two sides would resume in the middle of next week.
The JCPOA was abandoned by then U.S. President Donald Trump in May 2018. Trump then targeted Iran’s economy with what he called the “maximum pressure” campaign, but he failed to compel Iran to negotiate a “new deal.”
Iran and the five remaining parties to the JCPOA began the talks in the Austrian capital in April with the aim of removing Washington’s unlawful sanctions after the US voiced interest to return to the agreement.
Baqeri-Kani announced Thursday that Iran had submitted two proposed drafts to the other parties concerning the removal of sanctions and Tehran’s nuclear commitments, and was about to put forward a third draft.
The website of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) said on Friday that the Europeans’ lack of initiative in the face of the Iranian team’s “groundbreaking” proposals was dragging down negotiations in Vienna.
Iran’s delegation comprised of

economic, financial and banking experts and officials, which “showed the Islamic Republic’s determination to enter the negotiations with the purpose of achieving an agreement”, Baqeri said.
The Iranian negotiating team presented its views to the P4+1 group of countries in written and repeatedly voiced its readiness even during the JCPOA Joint Commission meeting to continue the talks.
Baqeri-Kani said the P4+1’s response to Iran’s proposals would be the base for bilateral negotiations.
He said the European parties were not “satisfied” with some parts of Iran’s proposed drafts, but “these proposals have been drawn up based on common basics between the two sides”.
The Europeans had no objection to Iran’s proposals, which they said do not agree with their views, Baqeri-Kani said.
“We raise issues which are consistent with our own views, interests and policies but the important point is that these proposals have been devised based on principles agreed by the opposite side.”
The top Iranian negotiator emphasized that no European side claims that Tehran’s proposals lack legal basis.