This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
Iran’s foreign minister has said that resumed talks with world powers aimed at salvaging the stalled 2015 Iran nuclear deal are based on a new joint document that would guarantee Tehran’s ability to export oil without restrictions.
“The most important issue for us is to reach a point where, firstly, Iranian oil can be sold easily and without hindrance,” Iranian media quoted Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian as saying in Tehran on December 27 ahead of the resumption of negotiations in Vienna. “The money from the oil [sales] is to be deposited as foreign currency in Iranian banks, so we can enjoy all the economic benefits stipulated in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.”
While Amirabdollahian appeared optimistic going into the eighth round of talks, saying that the removal of punitive sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear program is up for discussion, the chief EU negotiator has called for the pace of the negotiations to pick up.
“Important to pick up the pace on key outstanding issues and move forward, working closely with the U.S. Welcome to the 8th round,” EU diplomat Enrique Mora tweeted last week.
Diplomats from the parties still in the deal — China, Britain, France, Germany, and Russia — are taking part in direct talks with Iran. The United States has participated indirectly.
An EU statement said participants would “continue the discussions on the prospect of a possible return of the United States to the [deal] and how to ensure the full and effective implementation of the agreement by all sides.”
Amirabdollahian last week said that European negotiators had presented no “new practical initiatives” and were not constructive in the last round.
“When they say they are concerned about the progress of Iran’s nuclear program, we say out loud: ‘If you want to have your concerns addressed, then all sanctions must be lifted,’” Iranian state media quoted Amirabdollahian as saying.
Diplomats from the three European countries involved said after the talks adjourned on December 17 that negotiators are “rapidly reaching the end of the road.” They have expressed frustration with Tehran’s new demands in recent weeks but pointed to “some technical progress” so far.
The Russian delegate to the talks, Mikhail Ulyanov, on December 26 pointed to an “encouraging” statement attributed to an unidentified source close to the Iranian delegation, who said the modality of the talks and an agenda had been agreed in the previous round and that the discussions could now “focus on content.”
Ulyanov retweeted the comment of the source, who said the parties were “coming with full force & will stay in Vienna as long as needed.”
The Russian delegate added: “To the best of my knowledge all other participants in the #ViennaTalks on #JCPOA proceed from similar understandings.”
The JCPOA limited Iran’s nuclear program in return for sanctions relief, but sanctions were reimposed after then-U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord in 2018. Tehran, which claims the country’s nuclear program is for civilian purposes only, reacted by gradually ramping up the program and enriching uranium well beyond the thresholds allowed in the agreement.
U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan said last week that current diplomatic efforts aimed at reviving the deal may be exhausted within “weeks,” while the U.S. special envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, warned of a “period of escalating crisis” if diplomacy failed to restore the agreement.
