News - Middle East: Iran and the P4+1 group of countries have announced a pause in the Vienna talks on a possible revival of the 2015 Iran deal, with Tehran saying that all relevant parties will concentrate on a “successful conclusion” of the diplomatic process.

The pause was first announced in a tweet on Friday by the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, who said the break was needed due to what he called “external factors.”

“A final text is essentially ready and on the table,” Borrell said, adding that he and his team will be in contact with all the five parties to the 2015 deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and the US to “overcome the current situation and to close the agreement.”

Replying to Borrell’s tweet shortly afterwards, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said the pause in the Vienna talks could provide a “momentum” for resolving any remaining issues and a “final return” to the negotiations.

“Successful conclusion of talks will be the main focus of all [the parties involved],” Khatibzadeh tweeted.

He, however, said “no external factor” can affect the parties’ joint will “to go forward for a collective agreement.”

Following the announcement, Iran’s chief negotiator Ali Baqeri Kani left Vienna for Tehran.

Iran FM: Deal at hand if US adopts realistic approach

In turn, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also said in a tweet on Friday that he had held “useful and constructive” talks with Borrell, and that efforts were underway for achieving a “good, strong and lasting” agreement.