On the eve of the resumption of the third round of Vienna negotiations regarding the Iranian nuclear deal, Iran's chief negotiator, Abbas Araghchi, reiterated that there are many challenges. He told reporters after a discussion session with members of the parliamentary national security committee on Sunday that "we have entered a path that can be completed, but it is too early to say that we are optimistic or pessimistic about whether we can overcome the challenges and obstacles." However, he confirmed that the negotiating team does not feel discouraged and is committed to the task at hand.
Regarding a "step-by-step" approach, he revealed that discussions are ongoing among the parties about a list proposed by Iran for lifting U.S. sanctions. He emphasized that adopting a "step-by-step approach for Washington and Tehran to return to the agreement" that has faltered over the past years is out of the question. During the discussions in the Iranian parliament, Araghchi noted in a report presented to the deputies that specific understandings were discussed in Vienna to lift American sanctions affecting Iranian sectors, pointing out that the sanctions list on individuals and entities includes 1,500 cases. He stated, "We continue negotiations in this regard… we are moving on both sides; sanctions should be lifted from the sectors, and individual sanctions should be raised similarly."
He also mentioned the possibility of lifting sanctions from some oil and banking sectors, suggesting that there are greater difficulties concerning individual sanctions.
A senior U.S. official indicated last week that Washington offered a vision of sanctions that might be eased during the Vienna talks, according to The Wall Street Journal. The official added that the easing of sanctions could include the oil and financial sectors, which could help narrow the gaps in the nuclear talks.
Two individuals familiar with the talks said that the United States is open to lifting sanctions on the Iranian central bank, oil companies, national oil tankers, and many key economic sectors, including steel and aluminum.
An European official confirmed to the newspaper that Washington is also prepared for a potential easing of sanctions on sectors such as textiles, automobiles, shipping, and insurance, all industries that Iran was supposed to benefit from in the 2015 agreement.
However, he clarified that the U.S. administration is not considering lifting sanctions on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. It is expected that the next point of contention in Vienna may be including the office of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on the terrorist list.
