Iran nuclear negotiator: Vienna talks must wait for new president to take office

Iran’s deputy foreign minister says negotiations in Vienna over restoring the 2015 deal limiting the country’s nuclear program will not resume until hardline President-elect Ebrahim Raisi is sworn in next month.

“We’re in a transition period as a democratic transfer of power is underway in our capital,” Abbas Araghchi says on Twitter. “Vienna talks must thus obviously await our new administration.”

Araghchi, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, also says the Vienna talks shouldn’t be linked to a prisoner exchange with the United States and United Kingdom.

“US & UK need to understand this and stop linking a humanitarian exchange—ready to be implemented—with the JCPOA,” he says. “TEN PRISONERS on all sides may be released TOMORROW if US & UK fulfill their part of deal.”