ran and the P4+1 group (Britain, France, Russia, China plus Germany) are close to an agreement in the Vienna talks, but it depends on observing Iran's redlines and interests, an Iranian official said.

Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at Monday's press conference that a consensus is close in the talks in Vienna, Austria, on the condition that Iran's redlines are observed and its main interests are being met.

The consultations have been and are being conducted at the highest levels in Tehran, the spokesman said, referring to consultations on a new proposal provided by the European Union on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal and lifting of anti-Iran sanctions.

Asked about the possibility of reaching a consensus in the Vienna Talks, Kanaani said that the discussions for the removal of anti-Iran sanctions are still in progress. 

We continue negotiations, which were held in Vienna and then in Doha and most recently in Vienna again, the diplomat said, noting that as you know, the negotiating delegation participated in talks to reach a good and lasting agreement to pave the way for lifting the cruel anti-Iran sanctions.

We have had intense progressive negotiations and reached relative progress, he added.

There has been some relative progress, but it could not secure Iran's legal demands completely, he said, adding that Iran has other expectations from the other side and believes that all its interests should be met.

Additional talks are being held in the capitals and it is expected that supplementary statements on EU High Representative Josep Borrell's final proposition will be submitted, he noted.

Emphasizing the security and stability in the region, Kanaani said that Tehran is keen on assisting neighboring states.

** Government in Afghanistan

Elsewhere in his remarks, Kanaani pointed to the first anniversary of the US troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan, noting that the American invasion of Afghanistan has had no results other than the destruction of the war-stricken state.

A government comprising of all tribes and political parties can return stability, tranquility, and security to the war-hit country, the spokesman said, noting that the Islamic Republic of Iran has supported formation of a popular inclusive government in the neighboring country.

** Kuwait-Iran ties

On the dispatching of a Kuwaiti ambassador to Tehran, he stated that we are witnessing a serious development in expanding amicable relationships as well as upgrading bilateral collaborations based on mutual respect.

The dispatch of a new ambassador to Iran can pave the ground for the increase of cooperation between the Islamic Republic and the littoral states of the Persian Gulf region, he argued.

** Iraqi developments are very important

Speaking on recent developments in Iraq, the spokesman said that Iran follows up the developments in the neighboring country very seriously and that Tehran tries to assist politicians in Baghdad to reach consensus while avoiding intervening in Iraq's internal affairs.

The Iranian government has never cut amicable relationships with friends in Iraq, he said, adding that the Iranian embassy in Baghdad continues negotiations with the Iraqis.

** Insulting cartoon in Saudi Arabia

As to an insulting cartoon of late Imam Khomeini in Saudi media outlets, he said that the Islamic Republic expects Saudi brothers to prevent such offensive acts and move in line with paving the ground for resumption of an official relationship because sacrilege of Imam Khomeini is intolerable.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the official ruled out any connection between the stabbing of Salman Rushdie, Indian-born British-American novelist, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, so no one has the right to accuse Iran although the author's job in insulting the Holy Prophet of Islam was a kind of disrespecting the red lines of 1.5 billion Muslims around the world.

** Argentine and Iranian nationals

The spokesman referred to the confiscation of a plane in Argentina, noting that the plane belongs to Venezuela because it was sold to Caracas on the basis of international mechanisms, including the laws of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), so the United States' claim on possession of the airplane by the Islamic Republic is unfounded.

However, he noted, the release of five Iranians on board the plane is of great importance for Tehran because they have been under arrest for around 80 days, while they have done nothing wrong, but an Argentinean court has extended the trial procedure several times. 

** S. Korea release Iranian money

Kanaani also urged South Korea to unblock Iran's assets, noting that the Islamic country's money has nothing to do with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and that the Korean government is expected to return the money to Iran as soon as possible.

He added that Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani continues negotiations with his Korean counterpart to pave the way for immediate release of Iran's frozen assets.

** Media and JCPOA

He went on to say that the Islamic Republic of Iran pursues legal demands in the JCPOA and the other parties are well aware of the details; since the nuclear talks are secret, details of the negotiations should not be released in the media.

** Sanction relief in favor of Europe

The Islamic Republic is capable of supplying the world with energy, while international markets are in dire need of energy amid the Ukraine war, he said, noting that lifting anti-Iran sanctions can pave the way for the Islamic country to play a more serious role in the energy market; of course, this prospect requires other sides' willingness, especially the US, he said. 

** Criticizing the US

The US judiciary officials keep on accusing Iran in a bid to put forward their Iranophobic policy, while they do not provide any document to prove their accusations, he added.

** Joint Iran-Afghanistan committees

According to the official, Afghanistan and Iran have formed joint committees, including legal and border ones, and continue consultations in order to improve the situation in border areas.

** Talks with regional states

The previous rounds of talks with Saudi Arabia were generally satisfactory, and the condition for continuation of negotiations is good, so we hope that as a result of Iraq's hosting of the talks, Saudi Arabia and Iran would hold the next round in the near future.

Iran enjoys good and constructive cooperation with both the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia, he said, adding that the Islamic Republic has played a role in helping these two neighboring countries resolve differences.

Condemning the Zionist regime's attack on the Gaza Strip, the spokesman said that the attack simultaneous with Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine Ziyad al-Nakhalah's trip to Tehran shows the regime's nature, which is based on aggression, assassination, and child-killing.irna

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