Irish FM to Hold Nuclear Talks with Iranian President on Sunday

By Staff, Agencies

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney is expected to travel to Tehran on Sunday for a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in his role as the United Nations Security Council [UNSC] coordinator for the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

Iran has so far refused to hold talks on the issue with the European Union and the United States, saying earlier this week it does not consider the timing "appropriate" while demanding Washington lift its economic sanctions before negotiations begin.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who is also due to meet with Coveney during his visit on Friday, said Iran would soon present a "constructive" action plan.

“Ireland is a strong supporter of the Vienna Iran Nuclear Agreement [JCPOA]. In our role as coordinator, Ireland is keen to maintain a close dialogue with all stakeholders and encourage all parties to return to full respect for the agreement," Coveney said in a statement.

Since the inauguration of US President Joe Biden, world powers and Tehran have been trying to save the 2015 agreement, which granted Iran relief from international sanctions in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program.

Biden claimed he was ready to revive the deal, but insisted that Iran first revert to all of its nuclear commitments, most of which was suspended in response to US sanctions imposed by former President Donald Trump.

Tehran demanded that Washington takes the first step by removing sanctions.