Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh considered unrealistic what was formulated by the missions of the United Kingdom, France and Germany, which said that the postponement of the negotiations resulted from a collective decision.

“Those countries know very well that there was consensus due to Christmas and New Year vacations due to the European holidays,” he said.

Khatibzadeh noted that this recurrent Western tactic distorts realities and spreads false news, and urged the European triad to behave as serious fair partners and show determination to contribute to the progress of the negotiations.

The spokesman’s comments were in response to statements by the European diplomats, who said that they were disappointed by Iran’s decision to request a pause amid the technical progress.

On November 29, Iran and the remaining signatories of the JCPOA (the United Kingdom, France, Russia and China, plus Germany) resumed the talks in the Austrian capital after a five-month hiatus.

jg/iff/mem/arc