Iran remains open to resuming negotiations with the United States to restore the&nbsp;nuclear agreement from which Washington under then President Donald Trump backed out in 2018, Iran's acting foreign minister Ali Bagheri-Kani told Newsweek in an interview published on Tuesday (Jul&nbsp;16).

Bagheri-Kani's comments come ahead of his address to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in New York.

The United States, under Trump, withdrew from the nuclear accord between Iran and six world powers in 2018, which had restricted Tehran's nuclear program.

Despite indirect talks during the incumbent President Joe&nbsp;Biden's administration to revive the deal, negotiations have stalled. Iran remains part of the agreement but has reduced its commitments in response to US sanctions.

Newsweek quoted Bagheri-Kani as saying, "On the foreign policy front, Tehran remains open to resuming negotiations with Washington toward restoring mutual participation in a nuclear deal."

However, Bagheri-Kani also added that Iran will continue its focus on strengthening ties with China, Russia, and neighbouring countries. He further stated that Iran would call for greater action against Israel in the wake of the war in Gaza.

The Biden administration announced last week that the United States was not ready to resume nuclear talks with Iran under its new president.

Following the election of reformist President&nbsp;Masoud Pezeshkian earlier in July, there was speculation that Tehran might pursue more serious talks with Washington. However, Pezeshkian has so far signalled the continuation of Iran's regional policies of projecting power.

Bagheri-Kani assumed the role of acting foreign minister after the death of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May. His trip to New York for the UNSC meeting is seen by some as a possible attempt to advance the issue of renewed talks, despite Iran not currently being a member of the council.

Also watch |&nbsp;Does Iran have nuclear weapons?

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Pezeshkian, elected in a snap election, initially campaigned on promoting a pragmatic foreign policy and easing tensions with the powers involved in the 2015 nuclear pact.

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But after his election, he reaffirmed Tehran's support for militant proxy forces in the region and continued the insistence on the anti-western agenda of Raisi's days.

When asked about Iran's nuclear capabilities and whether the country might pursue weapons development, Bagheri-Kani reiterated Iran's commitment to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

"Iran will make use of all its potentials and capacities within the framework of the NPT and the Safeguards Agreement to expand its peaceful nuclear activities according to its national plans and programs," he added.

Iran remains open to resuming negotiations with the United States to restore the nuclear agreement from which Washington under then President Donald Trump backed out in 2018, Iran's acting foreign minister Ali Bagheri-Kani told Newsweek in an interview published on Tuesday (Jul 16).

Iran remains open to resuming negotiations with the United States to restore the nuclear agreement from which Washington under then President Donald Trump backed out in 2018, Iran's acting foreign minister Ali Bagheri-Kani told Newsweek in an interview published on Tuesday (Jul 16). Bagheri-Kani's comments come ahead of his address to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in New York. The United States, under Trump, withdrew from the nuclear accord between Iran and six world powers in 2018, which had restricted Tehran's nuclear program. Despite indirect talks during the incumbent President Joe Biden's administration to revive the deal, negotiations have stalled. Iran remains part of the agreement but has reduced its commitments in response to US sanctions. Newsweek quoted Bagheri-Kani as saying, "On the foreign policy front, Tehran remains open to resuming negotiations with Washington toward restoring mutual participation in a nuclear deal." However, Bagheri-Kani also added that Iran will continue its focus on strengthening ties with China, Russia, and neighbouring countries. He further stated that Iran would call for greater action against Israel in the wake of the war in Gaza. The Biden administration announced last week that the United States was not ready to resume nuclear talks with Iran under its new president. Following the election of reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier in July, there was speculation that Tehran might pursue more serious talks with Washington. However, Pezeshkian has so far signalled the continuation of Iran's regional policies of projecting power. Bagheri-Kani assumed the role of acting foreign minister after the death of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May. His trip to New York for the UNSC meeting is seen by some as a possible attempt to advance the issue of renewed talks, despite Iran not currently being a member of the council. Also watch | Does Iran have nuclear weapons? × Pezeshkian, elected in a snap election, initially campaigned on promoting a pragmatic foreign policy and easing tensions with the powers involved in the 2015 nuclear pact. Also read | Iran delivers reformist verdict as cardiac surgeon Pezeshkian wins hearts in presidential elections But after his election, he reaffirmed Tehran's support for militant proxy forces in the region and continued the insistence on the anti-western agenda of Raisi's days. When asked about Iran's nuclear capabilities and whether the country might pursue weapons development, Bagheri-Kani reiterated Iran's commitment to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). "Iran will make use of all its potentials and capacities within the framework of the NPT and the Safeguards Agreement to expand its peaceful nuclear activities according to its national plans and programs," he added.

Iran willing to resume nuclear talks with United States: Acting foreign minister

As the revival of the nuclear deal between Iran and the west show no signs of progress, Israel has continued to put out its hardline position on the matter.

Israel talks tough in Iran nuclear deal talks

Iran has agreed to resume talks with world powers on reviving a nuclear deal on 29 November after a five-month gap, with the US urging a quick resolution.

The announcement of indirect negotiations in Vienna comes as pressure mounts on Iran, with western nations warning that Tehran’s nuclear work is advancing to dangerous levels and Israel threatening to attack.

The EU envoy Enrique Mora, who led six rounds of talks earlier this year and recently flew to Tehran to seek progress, will again chair the 29 November meeting, the EU announced.

President Joe Biden took office hoping to return to the 2015 agreement from which his predecessor Donald Trump bolted. But the talks earlier this year failed to secure a breakthrough with Iran, which requested a pause after the June election of a new hardline president, Ebrahim Raisi.

In Washington, state department spokesman Ned Price said the US believed it was possible to quickly resolve the “relatively small number of issues that remained outstanding at the end of June”.

“We believe that if the Iranians are serious, we can manage to do that in relatively short order,” Price told reporters.

“But we’ve also been clear, including as this pause has dragged on for some time, that this window of opportunity will not be open for ever.”

Trump slapped sweeping sanctions on Iran as he withdrew the US in 2018, leading Tehran to take steps out of compliance with the deal through which it had been drastically scaling back sensitive nuclear work.

Iran wants a lifting of all US sanctions but the Biden administration says that it will only negotiate about measures taken by Trump over the nuclear programme, such as a unilateral ban on oil sales, not steps imposed because of concerns such as human rights.

Iran also wants commitments that the United States will stay committed to the deal – an unlikely proposition in Washington, where Trump’s Republican party, emboldened by a state election win on Tuesday, fiercely opposes Biden’s diplomacy with Iran.

“The American president lacks authority and refuses to offer guarantees,” Iran’s top security official, Ali Shamkhani, wrote on Twitter as the talks were announced.

“If that does not change, the result of the negotiations is already clear.”

The deputy foreign minister, Ali Bagheri, Iran’s lead negotiator, confirmed the 29 November resumption of talks and said the goal would be “the removal of unlawful and inhumane sanctions”.

Adding to US frustrations, Iran has refused to meet directly with the US envoy, Robert Malley, so instead European mediators have to shuttle between hotels in Vienna.

Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia remain in the deal with Iran and will take part in the negotiations, the EU statement said.

European powers have increasingly voiced alarm at Iran’s nuclear work during the standstill in negotiations, warning that Tehran’s progress will be so advanced that a return to the agreement may be useless.

Iran has agreed to resume talks with world powers on reviving a nuclear deal on 29 November after a five-month gap, with the US urging a quick resolution. The announcement of indirect negotiations in Vienna comes as pressure mounts on Iran, with western nations warning that Tehran’s nuclear work is advancing to dangerous levels and Israel threatening to attack.

Iran has agreed to resume talks with world powers on reviving a nuclear deal on 29 November after a five-month gap, with the US urging a quick resolution. The announcement of indirect negotiations in Vienna comes as pressure mounts on Iran, with western nations warning that Tehran’s nuclear work is advancing to dangerous levels and Israel threatening to attack. The EU envoy Enrique Mora, who led six rounds of talks earlier this year and recently flew to Tehran to seek progress, will again chair the 29 November meeting, the EU announced. President Joe Biden took office hoping to return to the 2015 agreement from which his predecessor Donald Trump bolted. But the talks earlier this year failed to secure a breakthrough with Iran, which requested a pause after the June election of a new hardline president, Ebrahim Raisi. In Washington, state department spokesman Ned Price said the US believed it was possible to quickly resolve the “relatively small number of issues that remained outstanding at the end of June”. “We believe that if the Iranians are serious, we can manage to do that in relatively short order,” Price told reporters. “But we’ve also been clear, including as this pause has dragged on for some time, that this window of opportunity will not be open for ever.” Trump slapped sweeping sanctions on Iran as he withdrew the US in 2018, leading Tehran to take steps out of compliance with the deal through which it had been drastically scaling back sensitive nuclear work. Iran wants a lifting of all US sanctions but the Biden administration says that it will only negotiate about measures taken by Trump over the nuclear programme, such as a unilateral ban on oil sales, not steps imposed because of concerns such as human rights. Iran also wants commitments that the United States will stay committed to the deal – an unlikely proposition in Washington, where Trump’s Republican party, emboldened by a state election win on Tuesday, fiercely opposes Biden’s diplomacy with Iran. “The American president lacks authority and refuses to offer guarantees,” Iran’s top security official, Ali Shamkhani, wrote on Twitter as the talks were announced. “If that does not change, the result of the negotiations is already clear.” The deputy foreign minister, Ali Bagheri, Iran’s lead negotiator, confirmed the 29 November resumption of talks and said the goal would be “the removal of unlawful and inhumane sanctions”. Adding to US frustrations, Iran has refused to meet directly with the US envoy, Robert Malley, so instead European mediators have to shuttle between hotels in Vienna. Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia remain in the deal with Iran and will take part in the negotiations, the EU statement said. European powers have increasingly voiced alarm at Iran’s nuclear work during the standstill in negotiations, warning that Tehran’s progress will be so advanced that a return to the agreement may be useless.

Iran sets date to resume talks on nuclear deal after five-month gap

Averting a diplomatic showdown, Iran on Sunday agreed to allow UN nuclear watchdog to install new memory cards into surveillance cameras at its sensitive nuclear sites.

The announcement was made by Mohammad Eslami of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) after a meeting with the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, in Tehran.

The announcement is likely to buy more time for Iran ahead of the IAEA board meeting this week where the Western powers had been arguing for Tehran to be censured over its lack of cooperation with international inspectors.&nbsp; Eslami said Iran would take part in that meeting and its negotiations with the IAEA would continue there.

“We agreed over the replacement of the memory cards of the agency’s cameras,” Mohammad Eslami, who heads the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), was quoted as saying by Iranian news agencies.

“IAEA’s inspectors are permitted to service the identified equipment and replace their storage media which will be kept under the joint IAEA and AEOI seals in the Islamic Republic of Iran," the nuclear bodies said in a joint statement.

“I am glad to say that today, (we) were able to have a very constructive result, which has to do with the continuity of the operation of the agency’s equipment here,” Grossi said.

It “is indispensable for us to provide the necessary guarantee and information to the IAEA and to the world that everything is in order.”

Iran and the world powers agreed in 2015 to the nuclear deal, which saw Tehran drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

In 2018, then-president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents.

After taking power, President Joe Biden said he’s willing to re-enter the accord, but so far, indirect talks have yet to see success.

(With inputs from agencies)

Averting a diplomatic showdown, Iran on Sunday agreed to allow UN nuclear watchdog to install new memory cards into surveillance cameras at its sensitive nuclear sites.

Averting a diplomatic showdown, Iran on Sunday agreed to allow UN nuclear watchdog to install new memory cards into surveillance cameras at its sensitive nuclear sites. The announcement was made by Mohammad Eslami of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) after a meeting with the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, in Tehran. The announcement is likely to buy more time for Iran ahead of the IAEA board meeting this week where the Western powers had been arguing for Tehran to be censured over its lack of cooperation with international inspectors. Eslami said Iran would take part in that meeting and its negotiations with the IAEA would continue there. “We agreed over the replacement of the memory cards of the agency’s cameras,” Mohammad Eslami, who heads the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), was quoted as saying by Iranian news agencies. “IAEA’s inspectors are permitted to service the identified equipment and replace their storage media which will be kept under the joint IAEA and AEOI seals in the Islamic Republic of Iran," the nuclear bodies said in a joint statement. “I am glad to say that today, (we) were able to have a very constructive result, which has to do with the continuity of the operation of the agency’s equipment here,” Grossi said. It “is indispensable for us to provide the necessary guarantee and information to the IAEA and to the world that everything is in order.” Iran and the world powers agreed in 2015 to the nuclear deal, which saw Tehran drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. In 2018, then-president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents. After taking power, President Joe Biden said he’s willing to re-enter the accord, but so far, indirect talks have yet to see success. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran reaches deal with IAEA, allows upgradation of surveillance cameras at nuclear sites

Tehran's foreign ministry says the resumption of nuclear talks with world powers will probably take another two to three months.

The European Union-led talks, which aims&nbsp;to get the US back into the 2015 agreement have&nbsp;been underway since April.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/before-talks-irans-supreme-leader-says-predatory-wolf-biden-no-different-from-trump-409148">Before talks, Iran's supreme leader says 'predatory wolf' Biden no different from Trump</a>

Donald Trump, former US president, abandoned the nuclear agreement in 2018 and imposed tough sanctions against Iran.&nbsp;In contrast, to Trump, his&nbsp;successor, Joe Biden, wants to reinstate Washington into the agreement.

The negotiations were previously paused on June 20, two days after&nbsp;ultraconservative&nbsp;Ebrahim Raisi won Iran's presidential election, with no date set for&nbsp;a resumption of dialogue.

On Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian appealed to his Iranian counterpart for "immediate resumption" of the Iran nuclear talks.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-hardline-new-president-sworn-in-amid-stalled-nuclear-talks-403262">Iran's hardline new president sworn in amid stalled nuclear talks</a>

A French foreign ministry spokesman said that the minister stressed the importance and urgency of immediately getting back to negotiations, which have been suspended by Iran since June.&nbsp;

"We are not seeking to flee the negotiation table and the... government considers a real negotiation is a negotiation that produces palpable results allowing the rights of the Iranian nation to be guaranteed," Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said during an interview broadcast on Tuesday evening by state television.

He said that the Vienna talks are "one of the questions on the foreign policy and government agenda".

Adding that "the other party knows full well that a process of two to three months is required for the new government to establish itself and to start taking decisions."

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-raisi-set-to-focus-on-economy-and-nuclear-deal-402130">Iran's Raisi set to focus on economy and nuclear deal</a>

Raisi succeeded Hassan Rouhani, the principal architect of the 2015 agreement on Iran's side, as president in early August.&nbsp;After receiving parliamentary approval, his government was sworn in on August 26.

Under the 2015 deal,&nbsp;Iran was offered an easing of sanctions as compensation for UN-monitored restrictions on its nuclear programme.

However, after the re-imposition of sweeping sanctions following Trump's withdrawal from the deal three years ago, Iran&nbsp;in retaliation,&nbsp;effectively abandoned most of its commitments.

The Vienna talks include Iran along with Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia, the other five remaining parties to the CPTPP deal.

While the United States takes part in the talks, it does not have direct contact with Iran.

(With inputs from agencies)

Tehran's foreign ministry says the resumption of nuclear talks with world powers will probably take another two to three months. The European Union-led talks, which aims to get the US back into the 2015 agreement have been underway since April.

Tehran's foreign ministry says the resumption of nuclear talks with world powers will probably take another two to three months. The European Union-led talks, which aims to get the US back into the 2015 agreement have been underway since April. Also read | Before talks, Iran's supreme leader says 'predatory wolf' Biden no different from Trump Donald Trump, former US president, abandoned the nuclear agreement in 2018 and imposed tough sanctions against Iran. In contrast, to Trump, his successor, Joe Biden, wants to reinstate Washington into the agreement. The negotiations were previously paused on June 20, two days after ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi won Iran's presidential election, with no date set for a resumption of dialogue. On Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian appealed to his Iranian counterpart for "immediate resumption" of the Iran nuclear talks. Also read | Iran's hardline new president sworn in amid stalled nuclear talks A French foreign ministry spokesman said that the minister stressed the importance and urgency of immediately getting back to negotiations, which have been suspended by Iran since June. "We are not seeking to flee the negotiation table and the... government considers a real negotiation is a negotiation that produces palpable results allowing the rights of the Iranian nation to be guaranteed," Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said during an interview broadcast on Tuesday evening by state television. He said that the Vienna talks are "one of the questions on the foreign policy and government agenda". Adding that "the other party knows full well that a process of two to three months is required for the new government to establish itself and to start taking decisions." Also read | Iran's Raisi set to focus on economy and nuclear deal Raisi succeeded Hassan Rouhani, the principal architect of the 2015 agreement on Iran's side, as president in early August. After receiving parliamentary approval, his government was sworn in on August 26. Under the 2015 deal, Iran was offered an easing of sanctions as compensation for UN-monitored restrictions on its nuclear programme. However, after the re-imposition of sweeping sanctions following Trump's withdrawal from the deal three years ago, Iran in retaliation, effectively abandoned most of its commitments. The Vienna talks include Iran along with Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia, the other five remaining parties to the CPTPP deal. While the United States takes part in the talks, it does not have direct contact with Iran. (With inputs from agencies)

Tehran says talks on 2015 nuclear deal might not resume for 2-3 months

Iran said it will attend a meeting in Vienna on Sunday of diplomats from countries still party to the 2015 nuclear deal, as they try to salvage the landmark agreement.

The hard-won deal has been threatened with collapse since the United States withdrew from it last year and reimposed biting sanctions against Iran as part of a "maximum pressure" campaign.

"It was agreed to convene an extraordinary meeting of the JCPOA joint commission in Vienna on July 28," Iran's foreign ministry said on Tuesday, using the acronym for the deal's formal name, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The meeting would be held at the level of deputy ministers and political directors, it said in an English-language statement. It was requested by the European parties to discuss the "new situation", the statement added, referring to Iran's reduced nuclear commitments under the deal in response to the US withdrawal.

Iran said on May 8 it would disregard certain limits of the deal as long as the remaining parties -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- fail to do more to mitigate the impact of the US sanctions, especially to sell its oil.

Tehran has also threatened to take further measures.

It has since exceeded limits the deal had set on its enriched uranium and heavy water stockpiles, as well as passing a cap the deal had imposed on its uranium enrichment.

The 4.5 per cent enrichment level it reached is well below the more than 90 per cent required for a nuclear warhead. Iran has yet to specify what further steps it may take and has repeatedly emphasised that its actions can be reversed "within hours" if European partners deliver on their commitments.

Iran said it will attend a meeting in Vienna on Sunday of diplomats from countries still party to the 2015 nuclear deal, as they try to salvage the landmark agreement.

Iran said it will attend a meeting in Vienna on Sunday of diplomats from countries still party to the 2015 nuclear deal, as they try to salvage the landmark agreement. The hard-won deal has been threatened with collapse since the United States withdrew from it last year and reimposed biting sanctions against Iran as part of a "maximum pressure" campaign. "It was agreed to convene an extraordinary meeting of the JCPOA joint commission in Vienna on July 28," Iran's foreign ministry said on Tuesday, using the acronym for the deal's formal name, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The meeting would be held at the level of deputy ministers and political directors, it said in an English-language statement. It was requested by the European parties to discuss the "new situation", the statement added, referring to Iran's reduced nuclear commitments under the deal in response to the US withdrawal. Iran said on May 8 it would disregard certain limits of the deal as long as the remaining parties -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- fail to do more to mitigate the impact of the US sanctions, especially to sell its oil. Tehran has also threatened to take further measures. It has since exceeded limits the deal had set on its enriched uranium and heavy water stockpiles, as well as passing a cap the deal had imposed on its uranium enrichment. The 4.5 per cent enrichment level it reached is well below the more than 90 per cent required for a nuclear warhead. Iran has yet to specify what further steps it may take and has repeatedly emphasised that its actions can be reversed "within hours" if European partners deliver on their commitments.

Iran says to meet nuclear deal parties on Sunday

Iran to raise uranium enrichment limit from 3.6% to 5%