Araqchi Reveals ‘Understanding’ to Lift Sanctions on Iranian Sectors

Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Abbas Araqchi, attends a meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission in Vienna, Austria, Sept. 1, 2020. (Reuters)
Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Abbas Araqchi, attends a meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission in Vienna, Austria, Sept. 1, 2020. (Reuters)
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Araqchi Reveals ‘Understanding’ to Lift Sanctions on Iranian Sectors

Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Abbas Araqchi, attends a meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission in Vienna, Austria, Sept. 1, 2020. (Reuters)
Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Abbas Araqchi, attends a meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission in Vienna, Austria, Sept. 1, 2020. (Reuters)

On the eve of the third round of Vienna talks aimed at reviving the Iran nuclear deal, which the Trump administration abandoned in 2018, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi informed deputies Sunday of an understanding regarding the removal of some sanctions imposed on Tehran.

In a report to parliament’s National Security and Foreign Affairs Committee about the negotiations that started earlier this month, Araqchi explained that the US has imposed two types of sanctions on Iran: first, thematic or so-called partial sanctions, such as on the oil, banking, insurance, shipping, petrochemicals, building and automobile sectors, and others on people and entities.

He revealed that sanctions on individuals include 1,500 cases.

“Negotiations are underway on both types; the partial sanctions and those on individuals should be lifted,” he said.

He hoped the nuclear talks will proceed until they reach tangible results, leading to the termination of the US sanctions.

“It is still too soon to judge the outcome of these talks, or say whether we are optimistic or skeptical, but we are paving the right path,” he added.

In response to a question about the views of the parties and the US regarding Iran's proposed list for lifting sanctions, Araqchi said this debate is ongoing. He hoped that disputes between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would be resolved in a constructive non-political atmosphere.

“Our cooperation with the agency continues. We have disputes with the agency in different fields, but the cooperation is proceeding on its natural path,” he said.



Russia Slams Report it Backed 'Zero Enrichment' Iran Nuclear Deal

A handout photo made available by the Iranian foreign ministry office shows, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi (R) speaks during a meeting with foreign ambassadors and diplomats to Tehran, in Tehran, Iran, 12 July 2025. EPA/HAMID FOROOTAN / IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY / HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the Iranian foreign ministry office shows, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi (R) speaks during a meeting with foreign ambassadors and diplomats to Tehran, in Tehran, Iran, 12 July 2025. EPA/HAMID FOROOTAN / IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY / HANDOUT
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Russia Slams Report it Backed 'Zero Enrichment' Iran Nuclear Deal

A handout photo made available by the Iranian foreign ministry office shows, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi (R) speaks during a meeting with foreign ambassadors and diplomats to Tehran, in Tehran, Iran, 12 July 2025. EPA/HAMID FOROOTAN / IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY / HANDOUT
A handout photo made available by the Iranian foreign ministry office shows, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi (R) speaks during a meeting with foreign ambassadors and diplomats to Tehran, in Tehran, Iran, 12 July 2025. EPA/HAMID FOROOTAN / IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY / HANDOUT

Russia's foreign affairs ministry on Sunday described reports claiming that President Vladimir Putin had encouraged his Iranian ally to accept a "zero enrichment" agreement on its nuclear programme as "defamation".

US news outlet Axios reported on Saturday, citing three anonymous sources familiar with the matter, that Putin had "encouraged" Iran to accept a deal with the United States that would prevent the Islamic republic from enriching uranium.

The article "appears to be a new political defamation campaign aimed at exacerbating tensions around Iran's nuclear program", the Russian ministry of foreign affairs said on Sunday.

"Invariably and repeatedly, we have emphasised the necessity of resolving the crisis concerning Iran's nuclear program exclusively through political and diplomatic means, and expressed our willingness to help find mutually acceptable solutions," the statement read.

Publicly, Moscow has defended Tehran's right to use nuclear technology for civilian purposes but in recent months, Putin has also drawn closer to US President Donald Trump.

On June 13, Israel launched an unprecedented attack on Iran, triggering a 12-day war.

The conflict halted negotiations initiated in April between Tehran and Washington to frame Iran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions against Iran.

On June 22, the United States bombed the underground uranium enrichment site at Fordo, south of Tehran, and nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natanz.

The exact extent of the damage is not known.