Iran, P5+1 forming workgroup to push sanctions lift

Iran and the six world powers have decided to form a workgroup to facilitate the removal of economic sanctions on the country.

It was agreed to discuss matters within this workgroup whenever Iran finds out that the lift of sanctions do not bring real results, said Abbas Araqchi, Iran's deputy foreign minister in charge of monitoring the implementation of the deal, IRNA news agency reported April 23.

Araqchi was a member of the Iranian team of diplomats who met with representatives from the P5+1 group (the US, UK, France, Russia, and China, plus Germany) for the first time after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was put in force to assess the implementation of the deal.

Iran has been complaining that although the sanctions have been lifted on paper, no foreign company has still started real business with Iran four months since the deal was made practical.

Iran in particular blames the US for not allowing Iranians feel the sanctions relief by restraining European companies from doing business with Iran.

The Iranian diplomat said the attending sides of the meeting thoroughly discussed the obstacles that prevent the lift of sanctions and reviewed ways to remove them.

The Iran-5+1 committee is going to convene periodically to review the implementation of the JCPOA.

The deal states the removal of economic sanctions on Iran in return for curbing the country's nuclear program.