Zarif Optimistic About Clinching Comprehensive Nuclear Agreement With Western Governments

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday that he is optimistic about clinching a deal with G5+1 on the country’s peaceful nuclear program.

Zarif made the remarks in a joint press conference with his Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurz.

Some individuals in the country due to political affiliations are reluctant about clinching a deal on the country’s peaceful nuclear program, he said.

A reporter from Austria national TV channel put forward a question to Zarif saying that the Western governments believes that you and President Rouhani are determined to resolve the country’s nuclear dispute but some conservatives in the Iranian political spectrum are against your decision.

Zarif responded that President Rouhani is to take action based on a mandate given to him by Iranian people.

ˈI believe that in an agreement in which the rights of Iran to be respected in line with the national demand, I and President Rouhani will put seal of approval on it,ˈ Zarif said.

ˈWe are proud of having different views and opinions in the country; he said adding that some individuals or groups due to political tendencies or whatever reasons are not reluctant to such a deal but the vote of the people is the final criterion.ˈ

The foreign minister said that he believes that the people’s support will help the government to strike a satisfactory deal.

It is up to the other side to maintain negotiations on its track of good faith and mutual respect, he said.

ˈI am quite optimistic that the current negotiations will lead to a satisfactory accord,ˈ Zarif said.

The Austrian foreign minister has arrived in Tehran for a two-day visit to study grounds for expansion of relations and cooperation between Tehran and Vienna.

During his stay in Tehran, he is to confer with some Iranian officials on expansion of mutual, regional and international relations.

It is a prelude to the upcoming visit of Austrian President Heinz Fischer to Tehran.

Iran will never negotiate on military activities, says Zarif

The country’s military activities will never be on the agenda of the ongoing talks between the Islamic Republic and six major world powers, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says in a joint press conference with his Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurz  in Tehran on Sunday.

“We do not use defense missiles to carry unconventional weapons. This statement is baseless and emanates from fabrication. The issue of Iran’s military activities has never been and will never be the topic of nuclear negotiations,” Zarif added.

He further noted that the purpose of negotiations would be based on an interim nuclear deal signed between Iran and the six countries in Geneva last November which focuses on the peaceful nature of the Islamic Republic’s energy program.

 “So, no one can claim that our missiles carry nuclear warheads when Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful. Such claims will not help resolve the issue and are rejected by the Iranian nation,” Zarif pointed out.

Europe should work hard to help clinch comprehensive nuclear deal, says Larijani

Meanwhile, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Sunday that Europe should adopt a positive, independent and rational stand to help clinch the comprehensive nuclear deal.

Larijani made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz.

Larijani highlighted Iran-Austria relations and said the two countries have expanded relations in various political, economic and cultural relations and are determined to further develop cooperation.

The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes any constructive plan to develop mutual relations and cooperation with Austria, Larijani said.

Kurz expressed pleasure with his visit to Iran and said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a great country, civilization and rich culture of the world.

He said that the Austrian government accords high respect to the Iranian rich history and culture and is willing to develop economic cooperation with Iran in all fields.

ˈAustria is the first European country that recognized Islam as an official religion and contributed to dialogue of religions to go ahead with freedom.ˈ

Kurz said that Austria played host to the nuclear talks between Iran and the western governments and is hopeful to strike comprehensive agreement about the nuclear dispute.

ˈAs the active EU member, the Austrian government is keen on resumption of cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran.ˈ

Source: IRNA , Press T.V

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