Iran insists United States, allies allow crude exports as nuclear negotiations continue in Vienna

On Monday, Iran insisted that the United States and allies promise to allow Tehran to export crude oil as negotiations in Vienna continue. The negotiations come as Iran looks to restore the nuclear deal that originally took place in 2015. 

Remarks were made by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian apparently show that Iran is pressing its position prior to the negotiations relating to the 2015 nuclear deal that was considered a landmark at the time. Discussions were paused earlier this month after sessions marked by tensions over demands from Tehran.

While speaking to reporters in Tehran, Amirabdollahian said that Iran would like the upcoming conversations to center around reaching the “point where Iranian oil is being sold easily and without any barriers and its money arrives in Iran’s bank accounts.” 

Tehran’s current agreement with world powers allowed the nation sanctions relief in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program. In 2018, however, former President Donald Trump pulled America from the deal while simultaneously imposing sanctions on Iran, which included those against its oil sector. Crude exports from Iran dropped and international oil companies abandoned deals with Tehran.

As discussions are set to resume in Vienna over the 2015 deal, Amirabdollahian said Iran wanted to “be able to enjoy full economic concessions under the nuclear deal.” He added, “Guarantee and verification (of the removal of sanctions) are among topics that we have focused on.”

The new administration of the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has consistently demanded the removal of every economic sanction before Iran slows its nuclear program.

Following America’s withdrawal from the deal, Iran has been slowly abandoning the deal’s restrictions. The country is now enriching uranium to 60 percent purity, which is a short step away from weapons-grade levels. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful.