The negotiations underway in Vienna since last spring, coordinated by the European Union, are taking place between Iranians and major powers (Germany, China, France, United Kingdom and Russia), with the indirect participation of the United States.
Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora and Iran’s chief nuclear program negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani in Vienna.
Photo: Reuters
After months of stalemate, progress has been made in recent weeks to revive the 2015 agreement that was supposed to prevent Iran from acquiring the atomic bomb. Washington pulled out of the deal in 2018 and reinstated the bulk of US economic sanctions against Tehran.
The negotiations focus on four issues: the lifting of sanctions, the nuclear issue, verification and the obtaining of guarantees.
Despite limited progress in the ViennaTalks [pourparlers de Vienne], we are still far from having achieved the necessary balance in the commitments of the parties
, wrote on Twitter Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, the highest political, military and security body in the country.
” The balance in the commitments depends on the political decisions of Washington to arrive at a good agreement. »
On Friday, Washington announced the reinstatement of key waivers protecting countries and foreign companies involved in non-military nuclear projects from the threat of US sanctions.
The United States assured that it it was not a concession to Iran
nor of one signal that the point for reaching an agreement is near
.
If Americans wish to show their good will
, however, it remains insufficient
, according to the head of Iranian diplomacy, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
The latter met on Saturday evening with his European counterpart Josep Borrel, according to a press release from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Borrel said he expected all parties come to Vienna with a clear agenda to reach an agreement and be ready to take political decisions
.
Positive developments have taken place since previous talks, but they still fall short of our expectations
, said for his part Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
We are determinedly seeking a good agreement, but at the same time we are emphasizing the preservation of our red lines and our national interests.
, he added.
