London, IRNA – An aide to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that London is seeking constructive relations with Tehran and wants to expand economic cooperation with it.
The aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, made the comment at a press briefing in response to a question by IRNA.
The question was this: What is the prospect of Britain’s normalizing trade ties with Iran after it paid its long-running debt, worth nearly 400 million pounds, to the Islamic Republic last month?
London “is seeking constructive relations” with Tehran, the British official responded, adding that Britain wants a final agreement to be reached in Vienna “so that we are able to enhance our economic ties with Iran”.
The agreement in Vienna refers to the accord to revive the Iranian 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or the JCPOA.
The JCPOA was thrown into disarray in May 2018 when the US unilaterally pulled out of it and reinstated sanctions on Iran, making it difficult for countries to do business with the Islamic Republic.
Iran and the remaining parties to the JCPOA have been engaged in talks in Vienna to revive the deal since April last year, with Tehran insisting that the sanctions must be fully removed in a verifiable manner.
The talks, in which the US has been participating indirectly, were paused on March 11 this year following a proposal by EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell in order for the negotiators to return to their capitals for political consultations.
Iran says that all sides have done their parts and now the ball is in the US court to make a political decision on several key remaining issues.
The British official, in response to another question by IRNA on London’s assessment of the Vienna talks, said that Britain believes that the Vienna talks have reached their end and there is a good agreement on the table.
Johnson’s aide expressed hope that the opportunity can be used to re-implement the JCPOA.
Source: Islamic Republic News Agency – IRNA
