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RFL/RE – Talks to revive a landmark nuclear agreement between world powers and Iran are set to resume in Vienna on February 8 amid warnings from Tehran that the removal of U.S. sanctions was the “red line” to put the deal back on track.
The United States has said an agreement was still possible with Iran on its nuclear program but that a deal had to be reached urgently as Tehran advances its atomic capabilities.
“A deal that addresses all sides’ core concerns is in sight, but if it is not reached in the coming weeks, Iran’s ongoing nuclear advances will make it impossible for us to return to the JCPOA,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said on February 7, referring to the 2015 agreement officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
The resumption of negotiations, which had broken off on January 28 to allow diplomats to return home for consultations, was announced on February 7 by the European Union, which chairs the talks.
Tehran in 2015 reached an agreement with world powers under which the Islamic republic pledged to reduce its nuclear activities in return for a reduction of international sanctions.
But former U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of the agreement in 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions, prompting Iran to gradually reduce its commitments under the deal.
The two sides have held eight rounds of indirect talks in Vienna since April aimed at reinstating the pact.
“The issue of removal of sanctions and Iran benefiting from it is Iran’s red line in the talks,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a news conference in Tehran on February 7.
Washington on February 4 restored sanctions waivers rescinded by Trump, a move which Tehran has said was insufficient.
“Washington has decided to take a step which has no impact on Iran’s economic situation … a responsible (U.S.) government should return to the deal and fulfill its obligations,” Khatibzadeh said about the waivers.
The Vienna talks paused on January 28 as top negotiators returned to their respective capitals for consultations. U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley on February 6 said he would soon return to Vienna, insisting the pact could still be revived.
Khatibzadeh said Iran’s lead nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani would return to Vienna on February 8 for the resumption of the talks.
