Iranian lawmakers have overwhelmingly demanded the removal of all sanctions against the country as a prerequisite for the implementation of any comprehensive nuclear deal between Tehran and the P5+1.
In a statement on Monday, 260 lawmakers said the lifting of all the sanctions and the closure of Iran’s nuclear dossier at the UN Security Council followed by its referral to the International Atomic Energy Agency are conditions for a comprehensive deal with the six countries.
They called on the Iranian negotiating team to strongly defend the nation’s dignity and strength and stand firm against the US deceit and excessive demands.
“As a guarantee for [the deal’s] implementation, in case of any violation of obligations by the opposite side, the agreement will be declared null and void and [uranium] enrichment will be resumed at any required level,” the legislators added.
They emphasized that the Iranian nation’s achievements should be protected and its rights should be fully restored in accordance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The statement came as Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and US Secretary of State John Kerry began a fresh round of nuclear talks in the Swiss city of Lausanne on Monday in an attempt to bridge their differences on the outstanding issues surrounding Tehran’s nuclear program.
The meeting between Zarif and Kerry followed high-level technical talks between head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Ali Akbar Salehi, and US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz in the Swiss city on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the resumption of talks on Sunday, Zarif said technical aspects and the lifting of sanctions will be the two most important issues that will be discussed in the upcoming round of negotiations with the P5+1.
“There are two issues that need to be highlighted in this round of talks. One is regarding the issues which have not been resolved yet or those for which there are solutions but the details of which have not been fully discussed,” the Iranian chief nuclear negotiator said.
“The second issue pertains to the sanctions and the obligations of all parties…. it should be made clear how the sanctions will be removed and what guarantees are provided for the agreement,” Zarif stated.
Iran and the P5+1 countries – the United States, Britain, France, China, and Russia plus Germany – are seeking to seal a comprehensive nuclear deal by July 1.The two sides have already missed two self-imposed deadlines for inking a final agreement since they signed an interim one in the Swiss city of Geneva in November 2013.
