'September document' not something new: Kan'ani

MEHR:  Regarding Iran's Foreign Minister's statements on Sunday, Nasser Kan'ani stated that the September document is not something new but the continuation of the process of negotiations between Iran and JCPOA parties.

September document not something new

Referring to Amir-Abdollahian's statements regarding the September document between Iran and the US, the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson in his weekly press conference on Monday stated that Iran's foreign minister was clear on this issue in the related interview.

The September document is not considered a new document and in fact, it is the same process of Iran and JCPOA parties negotiations, he noted.

The last JCPOA negotiations in September 2022 paved the way for all parties to return to the JCPOA agreement, but the US government and its European partners made a mistake in their calculation relying on then foreign-backed riots in Iran and the Ukraine war, he said.

They refused to finalize the negotiation process and lost the opportunity, showing once again that they did not have the real political will to return to the agreement, he added.

Iranian FM due in New York to attend UNGA meeting

Referring to the upcoming UNGA meeting in New York, Kan'ani cited that the top Iranian diplomat Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is set to participate in the event.

Amir-Abdollahian is expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA session as well.

Iran has always used the capacities of international forums and will participate in this meeting seriously as well, he added.

Process of prisoner exchange promising 

Elsewhere in his remarks, the senior Iranian diplomat touched upon the issue of the prisoner swap deal with Washington, saying that the process is promising so far. 

Iran hopes that the US fulfills its obligations within the defined time frame, he added.

On ties with Morroco, Sudan, Comoros

Touching upon the secret negotiations with several countries and the revival of ties with Sudan and Comoros, Kan'ani said that Iran's foreign relations are based on expanding ties with all the countries, except several, that are willing to establish bilateral relations with Tehran based on mutual respect and common interests.

None of the Islamic, Arab, and regional countries are exempted from this principled approach of Iran, he continued, adding that Iran will have a positive approach toward the states that are willing to restore relations with it.

Iran exports oil to global markets

Commenting on the media claims on an alleged secret agreement between Iran and the US, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson noted that sometimes, media statements may be made with different goals.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly announced that in addition to adhering to the diplomatic path to lift the oppressive sanctions against Tehran, it will seriously pursue the neutralization of the oppressive sanctions through other means, he added.

Tehran will not wait for the revival of the JCPOA or the US's opinion regarding its trade ties with other countries, Kan'ani noted.

"In practice, we have shown that we use all legal methods based on international laws and regulations for the realization of the rights of the Iranian nation," he further stressed.

Saying that many governments in the world are interested in expanding cooperation with Iran, especially in the oil field, Kan'ani emphasized, "Iran's relations with friendly countries continue and despite the cruel sanctions, we were able to export our oil to the world markets and also maintain our position in the world energy market to a significant extent."

Many of Iran's partners are interested in developing relations with Iran despite the cruel sanctions, he emphasized.

Security in Iraq, Syria priority for Iran

In response to a question regarding Iran's position in solving the crises in Kirkuk, Kan'ani said that supporting stability and security in neighboring countries, including Iraq and Syria is Iran's fundamental priority.

Any instability in any of the regional countries will not be limited to the borders of their countries, he added.

The Iraqi government is able to establish stability and security in this country and resolve internal issues, he said, noting that Iran will help and cooperate if any request is made.

The senior diplomat pointed out that the territorial integrity and preservation of the independence of Syria is a fundamental principle for Iran, adding that all Syrian ethnic groups are part of the unified identity of this country.

The occupying forces must leave the country and all Syrian political processes should be completed without foreign intervention, he said.

He went on to say that Iran considers the presence of the US forces inside the Syrian territory as occupation and that Iran's priority is to help stability and security in Syria.

On Iran-Iraq security agreement

Regarding the recent security agreement reached between Iran and Iraq on relocating the separatist groups, he said that the Iraqi central government and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are responsible for fulfilling the obligations based on the details of the agreement within a certain period of time.

Palestine central issue in Islamic world

Referring to the recent visits of the Iranian foreign minister to some Arab countries, including Syria and Lebanon, Kan'ani said that Iran is determined to develop relations with friendly, neighboring, and regional countries based on common and mutual interests.

He also pointed to the issue of Palestine, saying, "We consider Palestine as a central issue of the Islamic world and the necessity of supporting the Palestinian nation is emphasized in all bilateral negotiations with friendly and neighboring countries."

"We consider the Zionist regime as an illegitimate one in the region that its expansion will cause increasing instability and insecurity," he continued, saying that Iran will continue to support the legitimate Palestinian resistance against the Israeli regime.