Iran refuses to discuss JCPOA with U.S. but leaves chance for shuttle diplomacy - Russian rep
MOSCOW/VIENNA. April 6 (Interfax) - Iran has categorically refused all contact with the United States in Vienna at the talks over the renewal of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding the Iranian nuclear program; there are signs of "shuttle diplomacy" at play, Russia's permanent representative to Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov said.
"There is no communication, the Iranians have categorically refused. Tellingly, the Americans checked in to a hotel next door, not the one where the Joint Commission met and sat. This is a principled position which was endorsed, as far as I understand, at the top level," Ulyanov told Interfax on Tuesday.
"At the same time they do not object to the rest of the Commission having such communication with the Americans," he said.
"What we have here is some kind of shuttle diplomacy where Iranian messages can get across to Americans and from the Americans, via a contact person from among the joint commission, some messages can reach all parties to the nuclear deal, including being made known to Tehran," Ulyanov said.