Iran nuclear deal
External factors force pause in Iran nuclear talks: EU’s Borrell
Iran and world powers will pause talks on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal due to “external factors,” the European Union’s foreign policy chief said on Friday, after last-minute Russian demands threatened to torpedo otherwise largely completed talks.
“A pause in #ViennaTalks is needed, due to external factors,” Josep Borrell said on Twitter. “A final text is essentially ready and on the table.”
For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
Tehran on Thursday suggested there were new obstacles to reviving the deal. Washington underlined that it had no intention of accommodating Russia’s demands, which it has said have nothing to do with the Iran talks. It added that a small number of outstanding and difficult issues were still yet to be resolved for a deal to be reached.
A pause in #ViennaTalks is needed, due to external factors.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) March 11, 2022
A final text is essentially ready and on the table.
As coordinator, I will, with my team, continue to be in touch with all #JCPOA participants and the U.S. to overcome the current situation and to close the agreement.
Parties in the talks had been expecting to conclude by last Sunday a deal that would bring Iran back into compliance with restrictions on its rapidly advancing nuclear activities, and see the United States rejoining the accord. Nearly four years ago the then US President Donald Trump decided to leave the 2015 nuclear deal, and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran.
However, on Saturday Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov unexpectedly demanded sweeping guarantees that Russian trade with Iran would not be affected by sanctions imposed on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine - a demand Western powers say is unacceptable and Washington has insisted it will not entertain.
Russia’s demand initially angered Tehran and appeared to help it and Washington move towards agreement on the few remaining thorny issues, diplomats said, but a sudden volley of public comments by Iranian officials including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Thursday suggested the wind had turned.
“As coordinator, I will, with my team, continue to be in touch with all JCPOA participants and the US to overcome the current situation and to close the agreement,” Borrell said, referring to the full name of the accord, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Read more:
Iran says won’t let ‘foreign factors’ hurt its interests in nuclear talks
Also Read
-
Iran, EU officials say nuclear deal not yet done as officials focus on ‘final’ steps
Iran said on Thursday more efforts were needed to revive its 2015 nuclear deal, while the EU official coordinating nuclear talks between Tehran and ... Middle East -
US seized Iran oil cargo as Biden considers easing sanctions
“This seizure serves as a perfect example of why the US should not lift sanctions,” said Claire Jungman, the chief of staff at the New York-based group United Against Nuclear Iran, which closely tracks Iran’s crude shipments. Middle East -
Iran says lack of US decision on nuclear deal complicates talks
The United States does not have the will to reach an agreement to revive a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran at talks in Vienna where it is insisting on ... Middle East -
Iran’s gas, petrochemical export earnings surge in year to March
Iranian gas export revenues surged by more than 250 percent in the year to March, while earnings from petrochemical exports doubled, Oil Minister ... Energy
