Kerry, Zarif Discuss Tehran's Access to Banking System, Syrian War

The top diplomats of the United States and Iran exchanged opinions on the implementation of the nuclear deal and addressed the Syrian conflict.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US Secretary of State John Kerry met with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif in Oslo, Norway, to discuss sanctions relief and Tehran’s access to the banking system, US Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner said in a press release on Wednesday.

"The two discussed progress on the continuing implementation of the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action], including issues related to banking and relief of nuclear-related sanctions," Toner stated.

During the meeting, Kerry and Zarif also addressed the ongoing crisis in Syria, according to the State Department.

Last summer, the P5+1 countries — Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Germany — reached an agreement with Iran guaranteeing the peaceful nature of Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

In May, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi said Tehran was unsatisfied with how the nuclear deal was being implemented, citing Washington’s failure to comply with its obligations under the pact. Certain restrictions regarding payments in the US dollars using the US banking system have remained.