TEHRAN -- A source close to the Iranian team of negotiators in Vienna talks on Saturday ruled out an interim agreement, reiterating that Tehran is adamant on reaching a lasting and reliable agreement.
The unnamed source, quoted by Tasnim news agency, was reacting reports about a possible interim agreement between Iran and the remaining signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
“As mentioned several times before, plans for an interim agreement have never been on Iran’s agenda, and the Iranian team still seeks to achieve a sustainable and reliable agreement,” the source said.
On Friday, NBC News quoted two U.S. officials as saying that Russia had discussed a possible interim agreement with Iran that would involve limited sanctions relief. It said the U.S. was aware of Russia’s proposal to Iran.
The eighth round of negotiations between Iran and the remaining signatories to the 2015 deal –Iran, Russia, China, the UK, France and Germany- began last week in the Austrian capital.
Reports suggest a verification of the U.S. removal of sanctions, a sticking point in the negotiations, has been officially recognized and discussions on its mechanisms are ongoing.