Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaks at a press conference on October 6, 2021. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Iran has been engaged in negotiations to revive the deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China directly, and the United States indirectly.

Amir-Abdollahian said during a phone conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that they are close to an agreement. Iranian and US delegations in Vienna do not communicate directly, but messages are passed through other participants and the European Union.

The Iranian Foreign Minister said Iran has passed on their proposals on the remaining issues to the Americans through the EU, and now the ball is in the US court.

A year of negotiations has brought the parties close to renewing the landmark 2015 accord, from which the US unilaterally withdrew in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions on Iran.