Talks about the US returning to the nuclear deal end positively | abroad

In Vienna, diplomatic representatives from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and Iran this week discussed the possibility of reconnecting the United States to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. This deal should prevent Iran from using nuclear weapons will develop. In return, the severe economic sanctions imposed on Tehran were lifted.

Russian diplomat Mikhail Ulyanov noted on Twitter that negotiators “noted with satisfaction the first progress” after the joint committee concluded the JCPOA. “The committee will meet again next week to maintain the positive momentum,” he added.

A Washington representative told reporters that US negotiators had “demonstrated a real intention to resume compliance (with the Iran nuclear deal) if Iran returns to compliance.”

But the United States is counting on “mutual” efforts from Iran, or so it seems. We’ve seen some indications of this, but it’s definitely not enough. The question is whether Iran has the will to follow the same pragmatic approach as the United States to comply once again with the obligations under the agreement.

Iran itself was cautiously optimistic. “There are indications that the United States is about to reconsider its position and lift the sanctions,” Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said today before the closing meeting.

On the other hand, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas believes that “all parties have shown their willingness to work with the seriousness necessary to achieve the same goal: the full implementation of the nuclear agreement.”

He stated this in response to the German media. He describes the talks as “constructive,” but he cautions against being overly optimistic, as they involve complex negotiations in which everyone must be willing to compromise. “This will not be easy. We are only at the beginning of intense negotiations.”

The JCPOA was shaken when then-President Donald Trump withdrew his country from the agreement in 2018 and resorted again to sanctions. This, in turn, pushed Iran to reduce its commitment to its obligations, and to enrich more and more uranium, for example.

Two groups of experts are trying to determine how to link the lifting of US sanctions to Iranian steps to re-implement its obligations under the agreement. “The participants noted the constructive and results-oriented exchanges,” the European Union said. Work will continue next week.