Tehran (IP)- Iranian Foreign Minister said in a telephone conversation with the EU foreign policy chief on Saturday night that positive developments had taken place in the Vienna talks, but they still did not meet Iran's expectations.

Iran PressIran news: The Vienna talks have seen some progress due to the initiatives of the Iranian negotiating team, but Joe Biden's reluctance to waive the former US administration's illegal actions and continue the maximum pressure has cast doubt on the country's seriousness in returning to Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

In the telephone conversation, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian thanked the European Union for coordinating the Vienna talks. "Iran is firmly and explicitly seeking a good agreement, but with the same frankness and determination, it emphasizes the protection of its red lines and national interests," he added.

The foreign minister continued by stating that the JCPOA has not had any economic achievements for Iran in recent years, noting that the participants in the Vienna talks can reach a good agreement only if the deal serves Iran's economic interests sustainably and reliably.

"It is expected that all parties will come to Vienna with a clear agenda to reach an agreement and be ready to make political decisions,"  EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell said.

Saeed Khatibzadeh, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman, also said: "Naturally, the Islamic Republic of Iran is waiting for the United States to fulfill its duties and obligations regarding the lifting of sanctions in the JCPOA."

After weeks of intensive diplomatic consultations, the eighth round of Vienna negotiations to remove the unlawful sanctions, which had been begun on December 27, 2021, was entered a break on Friday, January 28, making political decisions.

Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said on Saturday, "Real, effective and verifiable economic benefit for Iran is a necessary condition for the formation of an agreement. Show of lifting sanctions is not considered constructive."

Real, effective, and verifiable economic benefit for #Iran is a necessary condition for the formation of an agreement. Show of lifting sanctions is not considered constructive. #ViennaTalks

— علی شمخانی (@alishamkhani_ir) February 5, 2022

"Iran's legal right to continue research and development and to maintain its peaceful nuclear capabilities and achievements, along with its security against supported evils, cannot be restricted by any agreement," Shamkhani added in another tweet.

Iran has repeatedly stated that, given that the US has been a violator of the JCPOA, it is Washington that must return to the agreement with the lifting of sanctions and that the fulfillment of US obligations needs to be verified.

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