In a Monday meeting with Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz in Tehran, President Rouhani noted that all sides of the ongoing talks with Iran have come to the conclusion that threats and sanctions are not the solution to the nuclear dispute and that political negotiations are the only way forward.

“We believe that if the P5+1 countries have the necessary determination in this regard, it will be possible to reach a final deal within the time frame set for the implementation of the interim agreement,” Rouhani said, adding, “This agreement will be absolutely beneficial to both sides, the region and the world because Iran currently holds a sensitive regional position and cannot be isolated with its rich resources and great history and civilization.”

The Iranian chief executive once again reaffirmed the peaceful and legal nature of the country’s nuclear activities, stating, “It will be possible to reach the final agreement within the framework of regulations and with the two sides’ goodwill.”

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – Russia, China, France, Britain and the US – plus Germany reached an interim deal in the Swiss city of Geneva on November 24, 2013. The deal took effect on January 20.

Under the Geneva deal, Iran agreed to limit certain aspects of its nuclear activities during a six-month period in exchange for some sanctions relief.

Rouhani further stressed the importance of improving Tehran-Vienna relations and said, “The European Union’s unilateral sanctions should not be an obstacle in the way of the two countries’ economic ties.”

The Austrian foreign minister, for his part, said the two countries are keen to expand academic and economic ties, adding that Austria welcomes enhanced relations with Iran.

RA/NJF