In this June 6, 2018 frame grab from the state-run TV Islamic Republic Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), three versions of domestically-built centrifuges are shown in a live TV program from Natanz, an Iranian uranium enrichment plant in Iran. (IRIB VIA AP)

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN - The US State Department said on Monday that its goal of the upcoming talks in Vienna is to set the stage for a mutual return to compliance with the Iran nuclear deal but does not anticipate an immediate breakthrough.

In Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Monday the full removal of US sanctions against Iran will be on agenda. "The path is clear. All US sanctions must be removed at once," Khatibzadeh said during a press conference.

The United States and Iran will hold indirect talks on Tuesday over respective steps to revive the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action 

State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters during a press briefing that Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley will lead the US delegation to Vienna, where the United States and Iran will hold indirect talks on Tuesday over respective steps to revive the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

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"Our goal of these talks in Vienna is to set the stage for that mutual return to compliance," Price said. "We don't anticipate an early or immediate breakthrough as these discussions we fully expect will be difficult."

"The original formulation is one that still holds today," he noted. "It's the limited lifting of sanctions, nuclear sanctions, in return for permanent and verifiable limits on Iran's nuclear program."

Price reiterated the United States would not "entertain unilateral gestures or concessions to induce Iran to a better place."

Meanwhile, he acknowledged that the United States is approaching the talks with Iran "with "urgency" as Tehran continued to take steps away from the deal.

"We are not seeking to drag these talks on any longer than necessary come about, we're also not going to cut corners, given the profound stakes that are at play here," he added.

READ MORE: Iran rules out any talks with US in Vienna unless sanctions go

In Tehran, Saeed Khatibzadeh ruled out any plan for the step-by-step removal of anti-Iran sanctions by the United States. After Iran verifies US sanction removal measures, it will be ready to reverse its measures pertaining to the suspension of its commitments taken because of the opposite sides' violation of the deal, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

Besides, the discussions in Vienna meeting would be around the fulfilment of obligations by the other parties to the deal to safeguard Iran's agreement interests, Khatibzadeh added.

Washington withdrew from the deal in 2018 and tightened sanctions on Iran under former President Donald Trump. In response to the US moves, Iran suspended the implementation of parts of its obligations under the deal.