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Number Seven Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Eight - 30 January 2025
Iran Daily - Number Seven Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Eight - 30 January 2025 - Page 1

FM spox to Iran Daily:

Tehran ready for talks if other side sticks with logic


Sometimes one side of a disagreement has to exhaust almost every option before it can come to genuinely respect the other side’s interests and sit down to talk it over. The Western world can now finally see a different side of Iran, a side that not only cannot be overlooked but can also play a conducive role in solving regional and even international crises. Esmaeil Baqaei, the spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, discussed how both sides got here in an exclusive interview with Iran Daily. Here is some of the more important parts of that interview:

Iran Daily: One of the major challenges for the incumbent Iranian government is tackling the mounting crisis between Tehran and European capitals. With nuclear negotiations stalled and tensions from Iran’s alleged role in the Ukraine war adding to the issues, you mentioned that Tehran was ready to address “ambiguities” through “dialogue” rather than “negotiation.” How effective have the recent discussions in New York and Geneva been in convincing the European Troika about their claims regarding Ukraine?
Baqaei: The Geneva talks was our initiative. These discussions had been stalled due to the Europeans’ miscalculations, but with the new Iranian government in office, we seized the opportunity of the foreign minister’s attendance at the UN General Assembly to resume them. The New York meeting was more of an exchange of views on the topics for dialogue; we discussed what to discuss. The nuclear negotiations, regional developments including Gaza, the Ukraine war and other issues of mutual interest or concern were on the table. All the matters raised in the second and third rounds of Geneva talks were also brought up in New York. It was not expected to reach a definitive conclusion, but it allowed both sides to understand each other’s stances and views on specific topics.
What place did the nuclear issue take in these talks?
With the European Troika and the European Union primarily focused on the nuclear issue, France, Germany and Britian, along with the EU, are considered negotiating parties to the JCPOA and remain legally bound by it. The nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions are the fixed topics for both sides. It was not expected that they would reach a specific conclusion on actions in these three rounds. Our demands and theirs are clear, but the details require more extensive expert discussions. The positive and crucial point is that both sides agree on resolving these matters through diplomatic channels and dialogue. We await their internal consensus. Another round of talks is likely within weeks, with the time and venue to be agreed upon.

It seems clarifying the alleged concerns about Ukraine could pave the way for nuclear negotiations and soften the atmosphere against Iran. Has there been notable progress in tackling this challenge?
Regarding Ukraine, the Europeans initially leveled accusations at Iran based on negative preconceived notions, which were unfair. None of these accusations were substantiated, except for the fact that Iran had good relations with Russia. These accusations were repeated and they started to believe them.
It is important to note that, for instance, a couple of months ago, US officials claimed Iran transferred missiles to Ukraine and the EU imposed sanctions against Iran. Days later, Ukraine’s president announced that discussions had taken place but no missiles had been transferred. Therefore, it was expected that the Europeans would revise their stance and reversed sanctions, but they did not. When accusations are made unilaterally and without evidence, it is hard to refute them through negotiation, as the other side tries to convince others of an alliance against Western democracy or European countries, based on their mindset or the interests they believe they can gain from accusing Iran, prompting an internal coalition within Europe.

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