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‘West seeking political goals’

Iran’ president says the western accusations against his country’s peaceful nuclear program are aimed at achieving political goals through JCPOA negotiations. Ebrahim Raeisi made the remarks in a phone call with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. Raeisi said the UN nuclear agency has confirmed in its multiple reports that Iran's nuclear program is transparent and has never deviated from its legal course. Iran's president also described unilateral sanctions on the country over its nuclear program as illegal and oppressive. Raeisi said achieving a lasting agreement on the JCPOA hinges on the removal of sanctions and putting an unconditional end to baseless claims. He said Iran is determined to defend its right and wants all sanctions removed.

JCPOA revival talks

Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations has once again blamed Washington for the current impasse in negotiations on the revival of the 2015 deal. In a statement to the UN Security Council meeting, Majid Takht-Ravanchi also censured European signatories to the JCPOA for failing to fulfill their obligations and promises. He said Iran was denied its rights promised in the accord due to the Europeans’ failure. Takht-Ravanchi said Iran began the revival talks in Vienna with good faith and maximum flexibility, but Washington’s unrealistic and rigid approach led to the current stalemate. He also criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency for its counter-productive approach by issuing a US-proposed resolution against Iran. Takht-Ravanchi said Iran is still ready to engage constructively for a good deal. But he said Tehran is after QUOTE verifiable and objective guarantees from the US that the deal will not be torpedoed again. Takht-Ravanchi also said the EU-facilitated indirect talks between Tehran and Washington in Doha earlier this week were QUOTE serious and positive.

Ecuador protests

In Ecuador, the government and indigenous groups have signed an agreement on ending protests over President Guillermo Lasso’s economic policies. The agreement includes the cessation of the protests and the gradual return of demonstrators to their cities. It also provides for a five-cent-per-gallon reduction in the price of diesel and gasoline on top of a 10-cent cut already conceded by the government. Talks between the two sides resumed after a short pause on Thursday to end the protests that had paralyzed the country since June 13. For nearly three weeks, indigenous demonstrators protested against high living costs and fuel prices. Several people died after some rallies turned violent. Road blockades by protesters led to shortages of food and medical supplies. The country’s oil production has also plummeted by more than half.

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