Vienna talks: Top Iran, Russia negotiators discuss JCPOA revival in details

Top negotiators of Iran and Russia have held detailed talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna on possible ways to salvage the 2015 landmark deal, which was abandoned by the United States three years after its conclusion.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani and Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov met on Saturday, the 35th day of the eighth round of the talks between Iran and the P4+1 group of countries in the Austrian capital to secure the revival of the agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), through bringing the US back to the deal.

In a tweet, Ulyanov pointed to his meeting with Iran's lead negotiator and said they "discussed in details the way ahead at the #ViennaTalks on #JCPOA."

In another tweet, the top Russian negotiator said he held separate meetings with US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley, the EU coordinator, Enrique Mora, and political directors of the three European parties to the JCPOA -- France, Germany and Britain.

"We discussed the most contentious issues which need to be settled at the #ViennaTalks on #JCPOA," Ulyanov tweeted, referring to his meeting with Malley.

Head of the EU delegation to international organizations in Vienna Stephan Klement also said in a tweet on Friday that intensive consultations continue between Iran and the P4+1 group of countries "as time is of essence."

Klement, who also serves as special advisor to the European External Action Service (EEAS) on the Iranian nuclear issue, added that he chaired a meeting of both sides' working group this morning.

"Our aim remains to ensure full implementation of all aspects of the #JCPOA," he tweeted.

MG