ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistani ambassador to Iran says demand of the Islamic Republic of Iran for lifting of sanctions in Vienna talks is quite genuine and logical, adding the US must change its approach towards Tehran to make talks successful.

In an exclusive interview with IRNA on Sunday, Asif Durrani said the former US President unilaterally withdrew from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, so they are responsible for sabotaging the nuclear deal.

Former Ambassador went on to say Pakistan has always urged all members of the JCPOA to fulfill their obligations within the ambit of the deal. Durrani noted that the US has adopted a false pretext for quitting the nuclear deal.

“Iran is a member of the NPT thus has every right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” he said.

The expert on the international affairs said that JCPOA is a complete framework and if any party of the treaty has any issue it can raise it within the agreement.

Asif Durrani expressing his views said that the sanctions have created lot of problems for the people of Iran and their banking system and it is high time that they were lifted immediately.

He said that Russia and China are with Iran while other members of the JCPOA are aligned with the US.

The diplomat said Iran is not responsible for delay in the implementation of the JCPOA. He noted that pace of Vienna talks is quite slow and needs to speed up while the US has to change its negative approach.

He added all members of the JCPOA, including Iran, must fulfill their commitments under the agreement.

Former Pakistani ambassador to Iran said Iran’s demand for lifting of sanctions in Vienna talks is quite genuine and logical.

“US must stop pursuing harsh stance towards Iran,” he said.

Meanwhile Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister and top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani has said that the atmosphere within the Vienna talks is very serious.

Reportedly, Iran and 4+1 resumed talks on November 29 in Vienna to work on the text and make effort to settle disagreements.

Earlier Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had said that if the other side were determined to lift the sanctions, a good agreement would be reached and “we’re after this.” IRNA